She answers but never texts first: when to keep trying and when to move on

If someone wants to talk to you, they initiate. They might be shy or have anxious attachment, but they still find ways to reach out. They might do it awkwardly or infrequently, but they do it. When someone only ever responds and never asks a question or sends an unprompted message in weeks, they're showing you that you're not on their mind. You're someone who pops up in their notifications and they reply to. You're not someone they think about.

The exception is real, but it's rare. Some people have deep social anxiety or strict beliefs about dating and will only respond. But even then, you'll usually see other signs. They'll send longer replies. They'll ask follow-up questions back. They'll match your energy. One-word answers to every message plus radio silence between your texts is a clearer signal.

If you decide to keep trying, stop sending neutral conversation starters. Those are easy to skip. A question about her day. A "how's work going" type message. She can read it, think "I'll reply later," and then forget.

Instead, send something that either demands a response because it's specific and real, or something that gives her a reason to think about you. Reference something she actually told you and show you were listening. Ask for her advice on something. Tell her something funny that happened. Make it land somewhere. What you're testing is whether she's unwilling to initiate or simply indifferent. A stronger message sorts that out faster than five weak ones.

Send two or three messages over the course of two to three weeks. Not every day. Space them out. Make them real attempts, not filler. Then watch what happens. If she replies to all of them but never texts first, and if her replies are short and don't invite continuation, you have your answer.

After that, you decide. You can keep texting and accept that you're always the initiator. You can text less and see if she reaches out. Or you can stop and move on. But do not spend six months sending messages to someone who never texts back unprompted. That's not giving it a fair shot. That's just wearing yourself down.