Packet Loss and the Art of Letting Go

Ever Sent a Message That Never Got a Reply?

You ever text someone and just… never hear back? At first, you tell yourself, Maybe they didn’t see it. A few hours pass—They’re probably busy. A whole day goes by—Did I say something weird?

Now you’re debating whether to send a follow-up. Deep down, you know the truth: If they wanted to reply, they would have. But still, there’s that itch—Should I try again?

Funny thing is, the internet deals with this problem all the time. But instead of overthinking, it just moves on.

What the Internet Can Teach Us About Letting Go

On the internet, packet loss happens all the time. Data (or “packets”) get sent across networks, but sometimes, they don’t make it. Instead of freaking out, networks handle it in two ways:

• 🔄 Try Again Until It Goes Through (TCP) – If it’s important, the system keeps resending the data until it gets there.
• ⏩ Move On Without It (UDP) – If it’s time-sensitive (like a live video or voice call), lost packets just get ignored because waiting would only slow things down.

See where I’m going with this? Some things in life deserve another try. Others? They’re just lost packets, and chasing after them will only waste your energy.

When to Follow Up and When to Let It Go

Ever had an argument that kept going in circles? That’s like resending a “packet” that didn’t need to be resent.

✅ Try Again (TCP Moments):

Let’s say you sent an important email—maybe a job application or an apology to a friend. If they don’t reply, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ignoring you. Maybe your email got buried, or they got busy and forgot. In that case, following up makes sense. Like TCP, some things are too important to just let go.

❌ Move On (UDP Moments):

Now, let’s say you text someone you’re interested in. No reply. A day goes by. Still nothing. Sending another text won’t change how they feel—it just makes you look desperate. Like UDP, sometimes it’s better to just move on instead of forcing something that isn’t meant to be.

Missed Chances? The Internet Reroutes—So Can You

Maybe you didn’t get that dream job. Maybe a friendship faded. Maybe you wish you had said something but didn’t.

That’s life’s version of packet loss. But just like the internet finds a new route when data gets lost, you can always find another way forward.

The internet doesn’t sit around crying over lost data—it just keeps moving. Maybe we should do the same.

Final Thought: Not Every Lost Message Deserves a Resend

Next time you’re overthinking an unanswered text, a missed opportunity, or a moment you wish had gone differently, ask yourself:

“Is this worth retrying, or should I just move on?”

Because let’s be real—the internet doesn’t resend every lost packet.

So why should you?