It was my day off, but I couldn't do anything.
On my days off, the time I set aside for myself disappears first. After answering one request, I can't even remember whose day it was.
On her days off, Mina keeps caring for her family whenever they ask. With her counselor, she faces the moment her own day disappears.
On Saturday morning, her younger brother Junho leaves Father with Mina and heads out. Mina stops just as she is about to leave, then receives a message that evening asking her to provide care again the next day. Her counselor points out the time she can check before answering a request.
When you're asked to provide care on your day off
The longer caregiving lasts, the more your days off can become tied up in requests. Let's first look at the moment the two begin to separate.
What gets interrupted most often on your days off?
Even on my days off, every request made me take off my shoes, and that day's time quietly tilted toward someone else. In that scene, I saw how the caregiver's day and the time needed for care had become one inseparable thing. If you're going through similar days, you can take your time telling me even the parts you haven't been able to say.
Scenes
- 01 · The request her younger brother left behind The request her younger brother left behind — On Saturday morning, Junho turns toward the front door as soon as he sets down the grocery bag. Junho: Sis, I have plans today. Can you look after Father until dinner? Mina: Okay.
- 02 · A Morning Without Shoes A Morning Without Shoes — Mina is putting on her shoes in the entryway when she hears Father's voice and takes them off again. Father: Mina, could you get me some water? Mina: Okay.
- 03 · Another Request That Evening Another Request That Evening — That evening, a message from Junho asking her to provide care again the next day appears on the phone beside the sneakers she put off all day. Junho: Can you look after Father again tomorrow?
- 04 · A Hand Pointing to the Blank Line A Hand Pointing to the Blank Line — After Mina says, “It was my day off, but I couldn't do anything,” Onyu points to the blank line on the notepad. Onyu: Mina, when the next request comes, how about writing down how late you can help before answering right away? Mina: Is it okay if I say that first?
Stories by Onyu
- Onyu
- Just before clocking out, the clock reminds me of a request
- Gray hair reflected in the window on a rainy day
- Right before clocking out, I pause before canceling our plans
- Right before quitting time, just thinking about learning makes me check the clock.
- Right before clocking out, I can’t think of what to say to a friend.
- I keep checking the clock just before quitting time.
- When I pause at the door, my dinner gets pushed back again.
- The path where she stopped to retie her shoe