I didn’t reply, but they called me out again in a public comment
This story is for anyone whose hand froze while browsing social media and seeing an account they hadn’t replied to reach out again in a public comment.
Scenes
- I didn’t reply, but they called me out again in a public comment — Another comment from the same account appears under the post. My hand freezes, feeling like I have to explain why I didn’t reply.
- I feel like I have to explain why I didn’t reply — The comment is public, and staying silent is my choice, yet I keep feeling pressured to explain myself in front of everyone.
- I reach the reply box, then pull my hand away — At eleven that night, I wrote and deleted a reply, then closed the screen. But when the notification sounds again, I can’t bring myself to turn the phone over.
- Before explaining, decide where they can reach you — A safety boundary isn’t words meant to persuade the other person. It’s the line that decides how close you let them come. If you try to set that line through explanations, their demands only get longer.
- Tonight, turn off the notifications for a while instead of replying — Tonight, don’t write a reply. Just turn off notifications from that account for a while. Even if your hand reaches to check again, look at the quiet screen first.
- Not replying isn’t something you’ve done wrong — Not replying is still just not replying. If the comments continue, look at the evidence, the account, and your safety in the real world, one step at a time.
Stories by Suho
- Suho
- I’m out for a walk when someone I don’t know starts a video call.
- On the way to work, I wonder who to tell.
- A gift comes every payday
- Someone I’d seen online was standing outside my home.
- I keep thinking about that call after the work dinner.
- After work, I’m standing at the door, and I need to change who can see my account.
- After my appointment, an offer to work together came in.
- I check the hate comments again, even after putting my child to bed.