Journalling · 10 minutes
The Honest Line
A journalling exercise for people who always say “I’m alright” — finding the first honest sentence, and one person to say it to.
Goes with the story Twelve Missed Calls.
The Estate · everystreethasastory.uk/reflect/the-honest-line
Before you start
Daz had said “I’m alright” so many times he’d forgotten what alright felt like. This exercise is about writing down, just for yourself, the first sentence that’s actually true.
Steps
- Write “I’m alright” at the top of the page. Look at it.
- Underneath, write “Actually…” and keep going for three minutes without stopping. Don’t fix the spelling. Don’t make it sound good.
- Read back what you wrote. Underline the one sentence that feels most true.
- That’s your honest line. It doesn’t have to be dramatic. “I’m tired” counts. “I’m behind on money” counts. “I miss someone” counts.
Write
What is my honest line today?
Who has been checking on me that I keep brushing off?
What is one thing I could hand to someone else this week, like Daz handed Marcus the fence?
Sit with this
Samuel asked Daz: “What do you think would happen if you did it again?” Try asking yourself the same question about switching off for one evening. Sit with whatever answer comes, even if the answer is “I’d sleep.”
The Ripple
Say your honest line out loud to one person you trust. Not the whole story. Just the first line.
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.