What the group text really says.

Hi, hope you're doing well. I was camping under the stars in Smuggler’s Notch, VT and missed our Sunday issue…but sending you positive new month energy now that we’re in August (really?). You’re reading The Bright Side, a weekly dose of calm and clarity in a noisy world. And today, we’re going somewhere very sacred…the group text.

You think you know someone, until the group text…

It starts innocently, right? “Hey, I’ll send a group text. Just to make things easier.”

And then it happens: 

One friend responds in seconds, like they’ve been waiting for this moment their whole life.

Another drops a single heart reaction on a message and then is never to be heard of again.

Meanwhile, the original mission, planning Sunday brunch, is now buried beneath memes.

But maybe it’s not all random. Maybe our group-text alter egos reveal something about us.

There’s usually (one) in every thread

Every group text has its characters. You know the ones. You might be the one. Let’s break it down...

The Initiator
You started it all. You’re pushing memes, keep the energy alive and (probably) deserve a medal.

The Ghoster
You read everything and reply to every message…in your head. You show up every few months with: “haha just saw this.”

The Double-Tapper
You haven’t typed since the Obama administration. But when a dog picture comes up? Instant double-tap.

The Cold Plunger
You’re felt miles away with an excessive use of exclamation points: !!!!. Like you’re permanently getting out of a cold-plunge.

And wait, one more…

The Audionote Connoisseur
You don’t respond to the actual text, but instead, randomly drop a 9-minute voicenote.

We all show up differently

We all show up a little differently. In our communication styles, in life, work, love…

Some of us send 5 GIF’s in a row. Some send a heartfelt check-in every 3 months. Both work.

Because what matters is showing up. In our unique, different ways. And small doses of connection, even ones that seem as insignificant as a group text…they add up.

So this week, reply in your version of a group text. Send the meme. Ask the random question. Or add one more exclamation point. 

Until next time,

P.S. Hit reply and tell us your group chat alter ego 😎