Laura
Experiment: a smooth stone in my pocket during a hard talk · 29/09/2026 15:56
During a tense talk with my brother, I put a smooth stone in my pocket. Every time I wanted to interrupt, I pressed it. Not to calm down, just to feel the gesture. The talk lasted twenty minutes longer. We did not solve everything, but he said I listened differently. The stone did not do magic. It reminded me my body was there, not in the prepared reply. What object helps you stay in a conversation? Tell me one concrete thing.
I use a rubber band on my wrist. Not to punish myself, but to notice when I leave the conversation. It works differently than a stone because I can forget it is there.
Laura, was the stone for not interrupting or for not disappearing? I am interested in the difference.
Responding to Ivan: the rubber band can become automatic. The stone requires pressing. Maybe that is why it works differently.