On payday, I want to ask how you are first
On payday, Sujin taps her friend's name, then pulls her finger away. If she asks how they're doing first, how far will the conversation go?
On payday evening, Sujin wants to ask an old friend how she's doing. She brings the message she couldn't send to the counseling room.
On payday evening, Sujin checks her pay and decides to ask her old friend Eunji how she's doing. After writing and deleting a message, she comes to the counseling room. Dalbit doesn't rush her; they break down what she might say after asking how Eunji is. Without sending the message yet, Sujin looks at the first line she wrote.
When it's hard to reach out first
Sometimes one message can feel like taking responsibility for a whole conversation. It may look different if you separate the greeting from what comes next.
What were you hoping to say to the person you wanted to reach out to?
The moment spent staring at a screen with only “How are you?” on it felt so long. I don't think the person who reaches out first has to carry the conversation all by themselves. If you've ever deleted and rewritten a similar message, you're welcome to tell me about it.
Scenes
- 01 · Pay deposited Payday evening — On payday evening, Sujin checks her pay notification, then opens her chat with Eunji.
- 02 · Delete and rewrite Empty text box — Sujin types “How are you?” then deletes it. Reaching out first after months keeps feeling like a big deal.
- 03 · After asking how you are Writing it in two lines — In the counseling room, Sujin writes her greeting and what she wants to say afterward on separate lines. Dalbit looks at the two lines. Dalbit: Sujin, did anything shift in how you felt as you wrote the second line? Sujin: It shows why I reached out, more than just asking how she is.
- 04 · One line left Where the pencil stops — Sujin places her pencil below “I’ve been thinking about you lately” and pauses. She hasn't written what to say after asking how Eunji is. Dalbit: Now that you've written that, what comes to mind next? Sujin: Just… that I want to hear about you, too.
Stories by Dalbit
- Dalbit
- When dinner with my coworkers ends, I think of the path my parents chose for me.
- When I close the door after work, I can’t think of anyone to reach out to.
- When a notification comes in, my shoulders tense up first.
- When I think of my child’s report card, I end up grading myself too.
- After hearing about my friend, my own day feels small.
- Even in the salon mirror, the silence between me and my husband follows me.
- Folding laundry, I start worrying about my child again
- In the family chat, it’s always Mom who speaks