Check in when a question feels too broad

Replace “How are you?” with a narrower question about the immediate moment.

Try this

Notice which part of the broad question is difficult to answer: time period, subject or expected detail.
Narrow only one dimension, such as asking about the next hour. If the person still does not want to answer, stop narrowing.

A worked example

“Would company or a little space be more useful right now?”

An invented example to adapt, not a real exchange or a script you have to follow.

Before you leave it here

If even that feels like too much, offer to pause rather than adding more options.

This is a voluntary planning exercise. Keep your notes private, adapt the language, and leave any question unanswered. It does not require Ourling or a purchase.

Ourling’s library uses AI-assisted original writing. These are practical exercises, not clinical advice or promises about relationship outcomes. Suggest a correction or a missing situation.