After sharing the news, I can’t focus on work all afternoon.
After telling someone that they’re gone, I keep losing my place in my work that afternoon.
Scenes
- After I tell them, work comes to a stop that afternoon. — After I hang up from sharing the news, my hands stay still for a while, even when I return to what I was doing.
- I don’t know what to say first. — When I’m sharing the news with someone I haven’t contacted in a long time, I feel at a loss for what to say after asking how they are.
- When they go quiet, I don’t know what to say. — When someone who hears the news falls quiet for a moment, I don’t know whether to explain more or wait.
- Grief continues after you share the news. — Sharing news of a loss doesn’t end with telling someone. Each time you say the words, you face their absence again.
- Today, note when you paused. — Just note when your hands stopped today and what you were doing then. You don’t need to explain why.
- Even paused time is part of saying goodbye. — Work slowed down today after I told someone they were gone. It might happen tomorrow, too.
Stories by Onyu
- Onyu
- By afternoon, thoughts of my friend bring work to a halt.
- Sunday night, it feels like the whole week is ruined
- When your hands stop in the afternoon, even bringing something up with your family can feel hard.
- After I cancel a plan, I can’t focus on work that afternoon.
- Even after the meeting ends and I’m back at my desk, I think about the presentation first.
- Even after the meeting, I still can’t think of a way to honor them.
- Even after the meeting, thoughts of my parents stay with me.
- Even on my day off, I answered someone else first.