Worksheet · 12 minutes
The Question You Ask
For the people who always check on everyone else — practising answering “Are you alright?” honestly, once.
Goes with the story Are You Alright?.
The Estate · everystreethasastory.uk/reflect/the-question-you-ask
Before you start
Think of the last time someone asked if you were alright, and you said fine when you weren’t. Keep that moment in mind.
Steps
- Write the automatic answer. The one you always give. “I’m fine.” “I’m alright.” “Sorted.”
- Write what was actually true. One sentence. No polish.
- Name who could hear that truth. One person. Not the whole group chat. One safe person.
- Draft a message or a line you’d say out loud. Keep it short. No apology for having feelings.
- Notice what resistance shows up. Fear of being a burden? Fear of looking weak? Write it down without arguing with it.
Write
My automatic “I’m alright”:
What was actually true:
The one person who could hear it:
The honest line I could say:
Sit with this
Samuel asked Alyah: “What do you think would happen if somebody asked you that question, and you answered it honestly?” What do you think would happen if you did?
The Ripple
Answer the question honestly once this week — to one person. Notice what it does to the room, and to you.
No printer?
Write here instead.
This stays on this page. Nothing is sent or saved.
Questions I Ask Myself
One story. One thought. One different direction.
Welcome, Neighbour.