What to text when she says depression is affecting her dating

When someone says depression is affecting their ability to focus on dating, they're not making an excuse. Depression makes it hard to engage with other people, maintain energy in conversations, and show up emotionally. She's telling you upfront because she knows it wouldn't be fair to keep talking to you while she's struggling.

This is different from 'I'm not interested in you'. It's 'I can't be the person you deserve right now, and I respect you enough to say it'. When you see it that way, her honesty becomes clear. She's protecting both of you by being direct instead of slowly fading or acting distant.

A good reply does two things. First, it shows you actually heard what she said instead of treating it like a brush-off. You acknowledge that depression is real and that her boundary makes sense. Second, it removes any guilt or awkwardness from her decision. You're not disappointed in her. You're not going to convince her to keep talking. You're not offering to wait around.

The move is to be warm and direct. Keep it short. Don't ask questions about her mental health or offer solutions. Don't say things like 'I'll be here whenever you're ready' because that puts the responsibility back on her to manage your feelings and decide when she's 'fixed enough' to date. Just let her know you respect what she said and you wish her well.

Send one message that acknowledges her honesty and that's it. Don't follow up a week later asking how she's doing. Don't check in to see if things have changed. Don't like her posts or hover in her orbit waiting for a sign she's ready.

If she comes back to you later, that's fine. But your job is to respect the boundary she drew, and that means you step back. If she wants to reconnect when she's in a better place, she knows how to find you. Anything else is putting pressure on her, even if it feels nice in your head.