When a guy texts you goodnight out of the blue, it’s often because he wants to end the chat on a good note, he wants your attention, or because he has unknown intentions for the conversation. This establishes that every situation is special and not all of them have the same answer. One thing is for sure, you are still thinking about why you got such a text from him. Dear reader, you don’t have to figure this out on your own. Let’s work this out together! Here are 12 reasons a guy texts you goodnight out of the blue:

1. He’s feeling lonely and looking for a backup

When you get a goodnight text from a guy you haven’t talked to in a few weeks/months can mean that he is looking for something. He could be looking for a rebound, a backup, or simply someone to talk to and the only way to grab your attention is to text you goodnight out of nowhere! He’s looking to talk to someone to make him feel less lonely, and as someone, he has known for some time, you might be his best choice. That is because he doesn’t have to restart a new relationship, rather just resume where you left off, hoping you’ll give him another chance.

2. He’s looking for sex

When he texts goodnight, it might be just an excuse to start small talk and attempt to flirt so that he gets what he wants. Although a goodnight text doesn’t say much, however, if it is followed by a compliment such as “beautiful”, or “gorgeous”, he’s being flirty. He has no one else to help him fulfill his needs, so you were the next person on the list, believing you’ll text him back. So when a guy texts you goodnight out of the blue might be suggestive of sexual intentions, thus, you need to pay attention to the trajectory and content of your conversation.

3. He realized how much he liked you

The excitement of the relationship he might have been chasing couldn’t compare to what he felt with you. It is nostalgic of the times and is texting you goodnight out of the blue. This goodnight text is used as an excuse to talk to you and see whether there is still a possibility to continue the relationship you once had. He knows that you can either ignore it or reply without feeling pressured and also he does not overthink what course the conversation will take.

4. He’s insecure

An out-of-the-blue goodnight text from him might be because he is not a good texter and is at ease if he texts you during the night. Because he might be scared of ruining the chance to get to know you better, he chooses the safe route of sending a late-night text which can make rejection bearable. Your reply will matter in setting the tone and helping him to take the initiative to take you out, hoping he didn’t ruin it with his sudden goodnight text.

5. He wants to end the conversation

You might be mid-conversation and think that all is going well when suddenly he texts goodnight. When a guy texts you goodnight out of the blue he could be finding the conversation boring and wants to end it. It might feel rude to just stop replying, hence he suddenly texts you goodnight. If you were pushing him to keep talking by asking questions and saw that he wasn’t engaging, then you’re just dragging the conversation along. He will say goodnight mid-conversation and turn off for the night, and you won’t be able to reach him until morning because he isn’t interested in keeping that conversation going.

6. He wants to be friends

If you get a goodnight text from an acquaintance out of the blue might indicate his attempt to open a communication channel. Although initiating that conversation with a late goodnight text out of the blue might be a bit suspicious, if you ended things on a good note, this might be a possibility. He might be interested in a platonic connection with you, hence he’s finding a way to keep in touch and keep the connection alive with you.

7. It’s late and he wants to go to sleep

He might have woken up early and when he texted you goodnight out of the blue he meant that it was late and he wants to go to sleep. Also, if your conversation has passed the usual time which you take, a goodnight text might come as a reminder that it’s past his sleeping schedule. You get a goodnight text out of nowhere because he is sleepy and can’t continue with the conversation anymore, and doesn’t want to be bothered. Or that his partner might have stirred next to him and gone into a panic mode and wanted to end things there for the night.

8. He’s thinking about you

When he texts you goodnight out of the blue it means that he’s thinking about you. This guy could have been a potential love interest or a partner who might be missing you and is reaching out for the sake of the good times. Nonetheless, an out-of-the-blue goodnight text might also mean that he still thinks about you. Perhaps, you disconnected on good terms and he still wants to keep in contact and check up on you from time to time. He can use this as an excuse to continue the conversation and ask you to catch up and ask about any updates in your life. When he texts you goodnight out of the blue followed by an old picture, or a song/video which relates to you, it’s often because he thought of you.

9. He expects you to answer

Since the night is usually free of any daily occupation, when you get a goodnight text out of the blue, he expects you to answer. He probably knows that you are on your phone and wants to end the day properly by wishing one another a good night before going to bed. Also, a goodnight text out of the blue might be because he doesn’t have time to text you during the day, and nighttime is the only chance he gets. Depending on the frequency of your communication, an out-of-the-blue goodnight text can be a way of keeping the contact going despite the distance throughout the day due to your busy routines.

10. He just means goodnight

A goodnight text might not mean anything other than that: Have a good and restful night! He might not be saying it with any other meaning than what it primarily stands for. You won’t know his intentions unless you reply or directly ask him. Thus, if you are curious don’t feel shy to ask him about his motives. Sometimes, not everything has a deeper meaning behind it. Sometimes, a goodnight text simply means a good wish for you, it means goodnight.

11. He might be feeling vulnerable

You might have been his safety net and someone he could always lean on… He has been feeling nostalgic when he texted you goodnight out of the blue. He might be looking for someone to talk to without feeling judged and scared of letting himself be vulnerable. When a guy texts you goodnight out of the blue might be looking forward to venting and being heard by you because you’re his safety net and sense of security. He might be going through something with himself, relationships, and work and feels like you are the only person that understands him.

12. He’s checking if you’re still available for him

If this is something he has been doing for some time then he’s playing you. He wants to keep you available when his other friends can’t keep him busy. When a guy texts you goodnight out of the blue every few weeks/months, he’s trying to keep you in his loop and next on his list. These out-of-the-blue texts might be used as an excuse to remind you of him and keep you in his game. In other words, a simple confirmation that you’re available for him when he wants or needs you to be.

How should I react to his goodnight text out of the blue? – 3 goodnight text situations you might find yourself in

You should read the situation, the context, and the content of your previous conversations held, online and offline before you decide to text him back. Put things in perspective. Is this the first time he texted you or he has done this multiple times before? He may react the same way he did before. He will ignore your reply, tell you what he wants, will vanish, and come back again. When a guy texts you goodnight, he is expecting a reaction from you, otherwise he wouldn’t have shot his chance on air. There is something that he is interested in, and the only way you can identify it is by talking and asking him directly. 

– An out-of-the-blue goodnight text from your ex

When it comes to your ex, every relationship is special and different, thus, it is up to you what you’d like to do. If you had ended things on a good note, and you don’t feel weird responding to his goodnight, then go for it. However, you’re still unaware of his intentions toward you, so guard your heart. Whatever he might suggest, think of the outcome and how those consequences will affect your life. You don’t have to panic or overreact. Take a deep breath and give yourself time to process his advances and how you feel about the situation.

– An out-of-the-blue text from a friend/acquaintance

Well, these unexpected texts can be handled based on your feelings and views of him. If your friendship fell off naturally, then he might look to reconnect or ask you for a favor. Before you react to it, think of the possible reasons he might be getting to you, and if you are curious, ask him. “Good night! This is unexpected. I wasn’t expecting a text from you. Is everything okay?” However, if you just don’t want to reconnect with him, you should just ignore the text. Refrain from saying anything impolite or using an accusatory tone.

– An out-of-the-blue text mid-conversation

He might be sleepy, bored, or bored from your conversation, and to avoid looking rude by not responding, he says goodnight out of nowhere. You shouldn’t get angry at him. Perhaps, you share a similar experience with him and just let him go. When he says goodnight, just confirm right away and let him log off. One thing that you should avoid doing is being nosey. You shouldn’t question his retreat, if there is something, you’ll feel it first. What you can say to him is: “Oh yeah, goodnight! I’ve kept you long enough. Sweet dreams!” or “Good night! Talk to you soon.” Don’t try to dismiss his hints or statements in hopes of keeping him longer with you. There is not much of an engagement going on, so just end it there. It’s understandable that online dating and texting, in general, take some effort and can make things slightly difficult to understand. When things turn puzzling, you have someone to turn to, always! Love, Callisto

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