Is He Really Busy or Just Not Interested? I’ll Tell You the Truth!

Updated On:

Jan 13, 2025

Getting ‘I’m busy’ texts way too often? These 13 clear signs will help you know if he’s genuinely busy or just not interested.


Is he busy or not interested?

Key Takeaways

  • Busy but interested? He’ll be honest about his schedule, respond when possible, and make you feel valued through small, consistent actions.
  • Just not interested? Watch for lies about his schedule, endless cancellations, and zero effort to stay connected.
  • Mixed signals? Take your time and trust your gut. His true intentions will eventually show up in his actions.

Seeing a guy who’s always busy whenever you try reaching out to him?

If you came searching for this post, chances are your answer is a “YES!

Let me guess. The next question that often comes to your head is – “Doesn’t he like me?”

To solve this dilemma, I’ve prepared two lists. One that has 7 signs he’s genuinely busy (but interested) and another that has 6 signs he’s simply not interested (& his busy-ness is just an excuse).

So, if you’re fed up with guessing his intentions and want to know the truth, keep reading.

The Behavior that Show He’s Genuinely Busy

1. He’s Upfront About His Busy Schedule

If he's upfront about his busy schedule, he's more likely busy.

If he’s genuinely interested in you, he won’t let his busy schedule get in the way of your bond. Instead, he’ll be upfront and honest about his schedule because he values your time and wants to make the most of the time he does have.

He won’t make false promises or leave you hanging. Instead, he’ll let you know about his availability directly.

2. His Conversations Reflect His Busyness

When you have something on your mind while talking to someone, you get distracted from the ongoing conversation and try to steer it towards your own thoughts, right?

So, if he’s actually busy, his packed schedule and multiple commitments would be evident in his communication style. He might often seem preoccupied during conversations and struggle to juggle his responsibilities. Plus, his interactions might be brief and to the point. 

3. He Doesn’t Leave You on “Seen”

What will you do if a guy is messaging you repeatedly, and you aren’t interested in talking to him? You’ll stop responding to his messages, right?

But what if you like him too? You’ll reply as soon as you can.

So, if a guy is genuinely interested in you, he will find a way to communicate even if he’s busy. You won’t notice him being “online” and ignoring you like you don’t exist. 

His messages might be short and not immediate, but he will definitely respond whenever possible.

4. He Tries to Make Plans With You

If he tries to make plans with you whenever possible, he may be busy.

A guy who’s into you will find ways to fit you into his busy life and ensure he creates opportunities to spend time with you. For instance, he may suggest meeting you for coffee or dinner after work or inviting you to attend an event with him.

If he needs to reschedule something, he will do so promptly and respectfully. And he will ensure that he follows through with the new plans. He won’t leave you hanging or make you feel like an afterthought.

5. He Treats You as a Priority

Even though a lot is happening in his life, he will prioritize you if he’s really interested in you. Your gut feeling will clearly tell you that you hold a special place in his life, and he wants to stick with you.

He may not be able to spend too much time with you, but he’ll surely be there when you need him the most. He’ll set aside time to see you, even if it means rearranging his schedule or cutting back on other commitments. 

When you’re with him, he won’t constantly check his phone or rush off to take care of something else. Instead, he’ll be giving you his undivided attention.

6. He Surprises You With Small Gestures

What are those small gestures?

They include sending a quick text message to say good morning or goodnight, leaving a note, or a small surprise for you to find later. 

These little acts of thoughtfulness show that he values you as much as you do.

7. He Reaches Out Whenever He Can

If he reaches out whenever he can, he's interested but busy.

“If a guy is interested, he will make time for you.” 

You would’ve heard this a lot.

The statement is completely true, but that doesn’t mean he’ll always spend the same amount of time with you. There may be a few days when he won’t be available much. So, just because he isn’t immediately available to hang out or respond to a message doesn’t mean he’s not interested in the relationship.

If he reaches out to you whenever possible, he likes you too. He may drop you a quick text during a lunch break or call you when he has some free time in the evening.

This Shows He’s Not Interested (And Busyness is Just an Excuse!)

1. He Lies To You

If he lies to you about his schedule and tells you he’s busy but is always found at parties and hanging out with friends, he’s just not interested. He clearly want to stay distant by avoiding you.

Now, how can you spot his lies?

  • Just keep a lookout for his social media posts where he’s most active.
  • Ask him where he was busy on the same day and 2-3 days later. If his answer differs, he’s caught!  

2. He’s Flirty and Mostly Talks About Other Women

If your guy is flirty, he may be losing interest in you.

I want you to notice this – “Are his conversations mostly around other women?”

It could be a red flag! If he’s constantly talking about other women or flirting with them, it may be an indication that you are just a backup plan. His behavior shows he’s more interested in pursuing other options and doesn’t want to have a relationship with you.

3. He Always Cancels the Plans

Does he try his best to make plans and spend time with you? Or does he keep canceling plans, claiming he’s busy?

If so, he’s definitely not interested. When a guy consistently cancels plans and never makes an effort to reschedule, it shows that he doesn’t enjoy spending time with you.

He might have enjoyed being with you in the earlier stages, but as he’s gotten to know you better, he realized you’re not the right fit for him. 

4. He Can’t Justify His Busyness

If he can't justify his busyness, he's more likely not interested.

Is he able to justify his busyness? When you ask him where he’s busy, does he give you sensible answers, or does he give you vague or dismissive answers?

If it’s the latter, he’s clearly not interested. 

5. He’s Very Active on Social Media but Completely Inactive for You

If he’s a social media freak, answer this question, “How does he react to your posts, statuses, and stories?” 

Does he comment, react, or like any of them? If your answer is no, that’s because he’s uninterested.

NOTE: Social media is not an accurate reflection of real-life relationships. You can keep the weightage of this sign low or ignore it entirely if he doesn’t use social media that much.  

6. He Doesn’t Show Any Interest in Your Life

If he doesn't show any interest in your life, he's not interested in your relationship anymore.

When someone really likes you, they are keen to know about your life. They ask you questions like: “How was your day?” “What did you do today?” or “What made you sad or upset?” Further, they engage in conversations and share stories and experiences.

However, if the guy doesn’t show any such interest in your life, he’s simply not interested in you. He may not ask about your day or show concern for your feelings. Further, he may seem less engaged in your conversations, often interrupting you or changing the subject.

End of the Line

While it’s natural to want to make things work with someone you’re interested in, it’s equally important to recognize when it’s time to let go and move on.

By keeping these truth-revealing signs in your head, I hope you’ll be able to make the best decision for yourself.

I wish you a beautiful love life ahead!

See you in the next post.

FAQs

The answer is simple. Give yourself time and keep your eyes open!

You don’t have to make any decisions right away. If you’re getting mixed signals, let things unfold with time. Be more observant and careful than ever. Trust your instincts and stop ignoring red flags. 

Over time, you’ll notice that he will start falling more in one of the categories, and you’ll know whether he’s busy or not interested.

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| WRITTEN BY

Varun Pahwa

Varun Pahwa

Hey there! I’m Varun, founder of Uprisehigh.com. I’m committed to helping people through relationship problems and general life issues so they never feel alone.

While not blogging, you’ll find me lifting weights, spending time in solitude, seeking life’s answers or enjoying time with close ones.

Join me on Uprisehigh and just like a close friend, you’ll find me by your side on every step of your life journey!

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