The Group Chat Is Quiet… Is Everyone OK?
We’ve all felt it. The creative group chat that once buzzed with memes, call-outs, and midnight voice notes goes… silent. No one’s replying. The updates stop. A gig gets mentioned and no one reacts. You wonder—is everyone just busy… or are we all secretly falling apart?
Welcome to the quiet group chat anxiety—a uniquely modern symptom of creative burnout and disconnection.
At Hey Mate, we think group chats are a powerful barometer for how our communities are doing. They’re where we vent, share wins, grieve funding rejections, celebrate weird gigs, and hold each other through deadlines. When that space goes quiet, it’s worth checking in—not just with others, but with yourself too.
Silence doesn’t always mean nothing’s wrong
Sometimes, people are just focused or resting. But in creative circles, silence can also signal:
Emotional fatigue after a big show or tour
Quiet shame from burnout or feeling “behind”
Creative block that’s hard to talk about
Overwhelm from juggling jobs, gigs, admin, and life
Disconnection, depression, or mental health struggles
In industries where visibility is currency, disappearing can feel like failure. That makes it even harder to admit when you’re struggling.
We don’t always know how to say “I’m not OK”
So we say nothing. Or we send a meme. Or we react with a thumbs-up and hope no one notices we’re falling apart behind the screen. The truth is, many of us don’t feel safe saying “I’m not doing great”—especially in spaces where we also promote our work, compete for gigs, or wear the mask of “always busy.”
But when everyone goes quiet at once? That’s a community moment. A soft alert. An invitation.
Try checking in—gently
You don’t have to blow up the chat with concern. Start with warmth and honesty:
“Hey legends, just noticed things have been a bit quiet. Hope everyone’s OK. No pressure to reply, just sending some care.”
Or:
“If anyone’s feeling off or overwhelmed right now, same. Big love if you’re hiding under a blanket today.”
Often, naming the silence gives others permission to show up.
Check in with yourself too
If you’re feeling disconnected, flat, or avoidant, you’re not alone. Ask yourself:
Am I avoiding the chat because I feel behind, embarrassed, or tired?
Do I need support—but don’t know how to ask?
Could I benefit from a one-on-one conversation instead?
Remember, you don’t need to earn connection. You don’t need a win to be worthy of showing up.
Creative communities need care
Group chats are mini ecosystems. When they thrive, they’re full of mutual support, humour, ideas, and heart. When they fall silent, it doesn’t mean they’ve failed. It just means someone—maybe all of you—might need a little care.
If it feels right, suggest a reset. A no-pressure Zoom hang, a walk, a picnic, a phone call. Bring the memes back. Or the feelings. Or both.
At Hey Mate, we believe mental health support is not just about crisis. It’s about staying connected, especially in an industry where isolation is real. So if your group chat’s gone quiet, don’t panic. But do reach out. You never know who might be quietly waiting for that one kind message to bring them back.
