I woke up angry
The moment I opened my eyes, everything I had to do today came rushing in. I hadn’t even started anything, but my hand had already tightened around my cup.
Every morning, Dayeon gets angry at her housemate’s urging. Together with her counselor, she looks back on the moment her body had already gone rigid, before she’d even heard a word.
Dayeon starts each morning hearing her housemate Minji urging her on. The more often it happens, the more her body tenses before Minji even speaks. In front of her counselor, Dayeon voices the cause of her anger for the first time.
When anger rises first thing in the morning
Emotions that swell the moment you wake can leave traces in your body before they become words.
Before anger rises in the morning, what is the first scene that catches your eye?
The moment I set my cup down hard after being rushed since morning stays with me. I found it hard to see that anger as caused by just one thing the other person said. There was also the scene of a body hardening first, burdened with the whole day the moment its eyes opened. If you’re going through similar mornings, I’d like to look together at the scene that caught your attention before anyone’s words did.
Scenes
- 01 · The curtains open — As the curtains open, morning sunlight floods Dayeon’s face. Beside the bed, Minji reminds her of the time of today’s interview. Minji: Dayeon, it’s past seven. You said you have an interview today. Dayeon: I know.
- 02 · The cup trembles — When Dayeon sets down the cup, the coffee sloshes to the rim. Putting on her shoes by the entrance, Minji adds one more thing toward Dayeon’s back. Minji: You’ll be late. Get ready quickly. Dayeon: I said I know.
- 03 · Before the words — Dayeon wakes before hearing Minji’s voice, even before her phone rings. When she checks the screen, one unread request is waiting. Minji: When you get up, please sort the recycling.
- 04 · The hand stiffens first — As Dayeon talks about the morning Minji urged her on twice, she grips the cup even harder. Her counselor doesn’t miss the moment her hand stiffens. Dayeon: I got angry because you kept rushing me from the moment I woke up. Dalbit: As you said that, your hand stiffened first. Was there somewhere else in your body that tensed before you noticed it?
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
- I get asked for favors every lunch break
- 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.