The Land of “We’ll Talk Later”

There’s a place that exists in almost every relationship—or situationship—and it’s called the Land of “We’ll Talk Later.” It’s not a physical place, but if it were, it’d be a long, desolate road, lined with broken promises and unanswered texts.

You know the one. You bring up something important, and he responds with, “We’ll talk later.” It’s not a no, not a yes—it’s a someday. A vague assurance that keeps you hooked, waiting for a conversation that never seems to arrive.

At first, you believe him. You tell yourself he’s busy, distracted, or just not ready to dive into deep waters. But as days turn into weeks, and weeks into months, you start to realize something: “We’ll talk later” isn’t a delay—it’s a deflection.

The beauty of “We’ll talk later” is how deceptively simple it sounds. It’s not a fight. It’s not a breakup. It’s a promise wrapped in the illusion of effort. And that’s the problem—it keeps you hanging on. It gives you just enough hope to stay invested, but never enough closure to move forward.

What he’s really saying is, I don’t want to have this conversation, but I don’t want to lose you either. It’s a way to keep you in limbo, to string you along without ever really addressing the thing that matters most: your feelings.

And let’s be honest: you don’t want to press too hard. You’re afraid that if you demand the talk now, you’ll come off as needy, impatient, or worse—push him away. So, you wait. You wait for him to be ready, for the “later” that never comes, and in doing so, you put your own needs on pause.

But here’s the thing: your needs deserve attention now, not later. Because “later” is a mirage—it keeps moving further away the closer you get to it.

So, why do we stay? Why do we keep believing in “We’ll talk later” when history has shown us that it’s a promise built on quicksand? Maybe it’s because hope is a powerful drug. Or maybe it’s because the alternative—letting go—feels too final.

But let’s call it what it is: emotional procrastination. And just like with any other kind of procrastination, the longer you avoid it, the messier it gets.

So, what do you do when you’re stuck in the Land of “We’ll Talk Later”? You draw a map out.

Start by asking yourself what you’re really waiting for. Is it clarity? Commitment? An apology? Whatever it is, write it down. Because the more specific you get about what you need, the harder it will be to accept his vague promises in place of real action.

Next, set a boundary. Let him know that “later” has an expiration date. If he can’t meet you where you are, then maybe it’s time to stop waiting and start walking.

And finally, remind yourself that your feelings are not an inconvenience. You’re not asking for too much by wanting to be heard and valued. The right person won’t make you wait indefinitely—they’ll show up, ready to talk now, because they know you’re worth it.

As for the Land of “We’ll Talk Later”? It’s not a place you need to live. It’s a pitstop on the way to something better—something real. Because the truth is, someone who truly wants to be with you won’t leave you in limbo. They’ll meet you halfway, no promises, no “later”—just here and now.