To ignore these absolutely inane text messages?

[FeliciaFancybottom]

My friend seems to have gotten into the habit of texting every thought that pops into her head and almost giving a running commentary on her life. I'll get the same messages every day: 'I've just been for a walk, I've been for lunch, it's cold here today, work is busy, I'm going to hit class'. On and on it goes, and I'm running out of things to reply with. How many times can I say "oh that's nice/good/interesting/whatever"?
I don't need this level of info about her life, and it's getting on my last nerve. I'm starting to expect her to text me that she's just had a pee!
How can I tell her that I won't be answering these kinds of messages, or do I just ignore them? I'm not massively fussed about texting; other friends get in touch maybe once or twice a week, and that's plenty for me.
I know I sound mean btw but who has the time and the interest for this!!

I do this too 🤣. Really helps me air my thoughts without boring anyone sh*tless.

Just ignore the messages and reply once a day. Maybe switch off notifications from her and also read receipts and last seen.
Then if she asks tell her you are cutting right back on phone use because you were shocked to find out how much time you were spending on scrolling.

I've recently cut right back. I look at my phone twice a day - at lunchtime and in the evening. A couple of people have asked why I'm not replying as often and I've just explained I needed to stop doom scrolling and watching shitty videos. I think a lot of people are questioning their phone use these days and most people would understand if you used that as a reason.

This is EXACTLY what I do in this sort of situation, and I literally use the red dress dancing lady for this sort of thing. Makes it a bit fun and silly too, so they can't turn around and accuse you of being stroppy.

I have a friend like this and I just ignore a lot of what she sends. if I say anything I think it will offend her. when I first look at my phone in the morning I can guarantee there will be a message from her! it's recently gone one step further, her husband now works away one day a week and I now get a photo of his dinner and his breakfast, via her, while he is away 🤣 which I ignore. I thought she had got the hint last week as I didn't get the dinner photo, but next morning there was my photo if his breakfast waiting for me. I was irrationally angry about this!

Ooh i just thought this was a polite iveseen your message

🤙

That’s how my friends and I use it

Low effort? I don't regard WhatsApp on the whole as something that requires much effort. A member of my household mentions something we're running low on - 👍. My husband tells me the barista's given him a double stamp on his loyalty card - 👍. My brother says he's visiting our Mum in her nursing home later - 👍. A local friend mentions something that's coming up in the area soon - 👍. How much effort am I supposed to be putting into the foregoing? If I were sitting with them in person, they'd be getting nothing more than a smile, a nod, a brief 'That's nice' or 'Give her my love'. 👍represents all of that to me.

Just curious, why is that PA?

Just read a previous response to my question

I don't perceive it to be PA, nor do any of my friends/relatives or associates who all use it.

"photos of what’s inside the toilet"

Ermm... wut?! He sends you photos of what is in the toilet bowl after he used it??

If the messages are just informing you about something you don't have to respond to them. I am not a big texter but a friend is, if she isn't asking me something I tend to just read it and not respond and later on when I have more time I'll drop a text covering some of the things she said.

I’ve actually suggested this to a few people who do it, most are autistic and talking to AI really suits them.

There is a three word phrases specifically for this situation.

“Cool story bro”

That’s your response. Done.

My b st friend and I text each other this way. As long as we are not asking a question we consider no answer is necessary. We enjoy it.

Sorry but who would want to be friends with someone that intense. If she is texting about important things I get it.

I think maybe her friend is feeling lonely and depressed and needs to know someone is there but then she maybe pushing her friend away with the repetitive nature of it. I hate people on social media who constantly update with the inanity of their life....slobbing in my pj's, making pie and peas for tea, off to the pub, do you like my new shoes...why?

Either have a gentle word or simply stop replying. Perhaps she thinks you like a running commentary, you are reinforcing that by replying.

Is this passive aggressive?! Whoops. I do it all the time thinking I am being efficient.

Oh dear...🤣

I'd have to out message her with my own inane shit. I'd dedicate a day to it and go all out. But I'm petty and bloody-minded

She sounds lonely. She's trying to reach out to you. Yes, it is incredibly annoying. Why don't you say you can't talk during the day (as I assume you're working/looking after kids/whatever) but you'd be happy to phone her a couple of times a week to catch up. That kind of contact would be much more satisfying to her anyway, I'm sure, as she's getting very little back off you now!

My dad does this sometimes, and I know it's because he's lonely, but I just can't reply every single time, I can't keep my phone in my hand all day.

I think it depends.

I used to think passive aggressive but I know it's just something some people do. And now with so many blooming group chats for kids activities I do do a thumbs up in those because I don't 'love' everything and I can't always be bothered having to reply to every single message when there are so many!

Ignore her

i cant cope with attention seekers

Everyone I’ve ever had in my life who has done this exact texting thing has been a textbook narcissist (I seem to attract them!!)
It’s a control thing. You’re feeding into it by responding - set some boundaries and problem solved!

Notoriously? Genuinely, who decides these things? If I use it, it is meant as a genuine time saver (and so yes, is low effort, but you could also call that 'efficient'), and use it when the message doesn't need anything else, for example if I arrange to see someone date and place agreed on, and they say, let's meet at 10, I will send send a thumbs up, because, it doesn't need anything else. It's agreeing, not dismissing!
Crikey it's a minefield, where is the emoji handbook??