I get asked for favors every lunch break
Even when I plan to eat lunch alone, if someone asks me for something, I put off my meal and answer them first.
Scenes
- I was just about to eat — Just as I’m about to eat lunch, a coworker asks me for a favor. I put off the lunch I planned to eat alone and start typing a reply.
- “It’ll only take a minute” — My coworker says it’ll only take a minute. But once I send my reply, there’s already less time to eat.
- My answer comes before I’ve had time to think, so it’s hard to say no — If you’re used to answering as soon as someone asks, there’s no time to check whether you have time to spare. That’s where your boundaries can blur.
- Tonight, write down the time you want to protect — Tonight, write one sentence about the time you want to protect at lunch tomorrow. It’s okay if that sentence doesn’t come to mind right away when someone asks you for something.
- My lunch is part of my day, too — Even on a day when I say yes to a favor, the time I wanted to rest doesn’t disappear. I can start by looking at what I missed most during that lunch break.
Stories by Dalbit
- Dalbit
- On Friday evening, I was left alone in a room with the light on.
- After saying you’re okay on your first day
- There’s someone you think of when you’re sick, but on payday, you hesitate.
- When I get back from a celebration, I start doubting the story I’ve made up about myself.
- At lunch on her first day, one chair was left empty
- After hearing my friend’s news, I fall behind at work
- On the way home, I keep thinking of the same old advice.
- While grocery shopping, I didn’t know that not wanting to wake up was different from what others felt.