Thanks so much for your reply like always, Mickey. Good thing to know I'm not alone in this. Some of the things that I text about aren't as important, but especially if the conversation is at a standstill, maybe I can try again. No one has to be perfect in managing messages, but there's no reason to be ignored.

You are right about the self-esteem issues. I went through a rough patch for awhile in school and my first job, which of course has long since abated, but still there's has been a lot to process since then, especially feeling unworthy and undeserving, even when I've done nothing wrong. But thankfully I'm seeing a counselor at my uni which has helped sort things out