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Jamal Robinson's avatar

That's a beautiful reframing of a simple question that should, but doesn't always, carry weight.

At this very moment I'd say I'm a 6.5 but your question helped me realize how much that number shifts during a day.

Welcome back brother!

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Shef Tobi πŸ‘¨πŸ½β€πŸ³'s avatar

β€œbut your question helped me realize how much that number shifts during a day.”

THIS part!!!

it’s why it’s such a privilege if someone gets to really know where your head is in that current moment when they ask. There’s just a sort of bond that happens.

i know i’m late, but for a 6.5 that sounds good. Why a 6.5 though?

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Jamal Robinson's avatar

I appreciate you asking bro. It was just a slow part of the day and I didn’t know what I was going to do next. I believe boredom is necessary but I don’t always enjoy it lol

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Oluwatobiloba's avatar

10 because it’s my birthday todayyyy!

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Shef Tobi πŸ‘¨πŸ½β€πŸ³'s avatar

omg! i missed the namesake’s birthday πŸ₯Ή

how did it go?

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Oluwatobiloba's avatar

It was great 😊

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Matunda Nishobora's avatar

I love this. When I was at uni, I used to ask my roommate, β€œHow are you doing today?” and she would ask back, β€œWhat do you mean?” To which I’d respond, β€œI mean, how are you doing emotionally, psychologically, physically, or mentally, heck, throw in economically too.”

She looked at me all flushed the first time I asked her that, and she said no one had ever asked her so specifically before. I said, β€œWell… I care how you are. I’m far from home, and you’re my family now.” She cried because she was going through something and didn’t think anyone cared.

It’s important to ask the right questions the right way. β€œHow are you?” is such a common part of daily lingo that people don’t really assume you’re being serious when you ask it. They think you said it out of curiosity or politeness. I learned that day to always specify what I mean.

The downside to that is most conversations then become like a therapy session β€” which isn’t entirely bad, but can be a bit much. So maybe don’t ask everyone that in a day. Lmao.

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Shef Tobi πŸ‘¨πŸ½β€πŸ³'s avatar

omg!! i love her response β€œhow do you mean?” i should ask that more often.

see how her honest question opened up this conversation.

she clearly was exhausted by the regular question and just needed someone to pull her pain out of her and sit with it with her.

you’re a very good friend, Mattie. Very kind of you. 🀍

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Christie William's avatar

The reflex answer to "How are you?" is "I'm fine, you?", but watch the person pause when you ask, "Are you okay?"

I thought I was doing too much for switching the way I asked the question.

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Shef Tobi πŸ‘¨πŸ½β€πŸ³'s avatar

damn! β€œare you okay?” oh mine! that’s so kind of you, Christie.

do you find that you get better responses with this?

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Christie William's avatar

I do actually. Especially with people I'm close to.

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Itoro Etukudo's avatar

A really good read.

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Shef Tobi πŸ‘¨πŸ½β€πŸ³'s avatar

thank you, Itoro. πŸ₯Ή

how are you??

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biglittlemia's avatar

I love this and I think to grow, we have to start with ourselves first. Today I'm a solid 8 and I feel confident in my choice.

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Tomii's avatar

This really spoke to me. Thank you for writing 🫢🏽

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Shef Tobi πŸ‘¨πŸ½β€πŸ³'s avatar

you’re welcome, Layo. πŸ₯Ή

maybe it’s a sign for me to write more.

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Sheena Marie's avatar

Love seeing u shine, Tobi!

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MOYOSOREOLUWA PETER-AYEYE's avatar

In the morning I was an eight because I loved how I looked in my outfit. Sometimes during the day I was a 3 because of stuff I had to deal with but now I am a 9 because I heard this long awaited Good news and I am believing God it will be a 10 because of the good news I am expecting tonight thru tomorrow. It's good to have you back Tobiloba. Missed you like crazy. No one to really connect with my quirks and sweet silliness

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Shef Tobi πŸ‘¨πŸ½β€πŸ³'s avatar

Oh wow, I just literally read a comment by Jamal Robinson where he says that the number could dwindle all through the day and your comment is a classic example.

most importantly, congratulations on the great news! I know I’m a bit late, but I really hope everything worked out and that you’re feeling on top of the world. If you’re comfortable sharing, I’d love to hear what the good news is β€” either here or in the DMs, whatever works for you.

And yeah I’d love to catch up and see what quirks you’ve been up to.πŸ’€

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Jamily's avatar

My therapist will always ask me the question a second time because he knows my default answer is fine πŸ˜…

Impressive read. Thank you πŸ™πŸΎ

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Shef Tobi πŸ‘¨πŸ½β€πŸ³'s avatar

way to go! therapist deserves a raise πŸ˜€

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kaylen alexandra's avatar

Love this reframe of how to ask, and for me, I’m about a 7 and looking forward to my morning cup of coffee brewed hot with 3 ice cubes as not to scald my taste buds ✨

How about you?? What’s your number?

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Shef Tobi πŸ‘¨πŸ½β€πŸ³'s avatar

i’m a bit late but 7.5.

one because i’m taking everyday knowing i can plan it how i want and a master plan is some where laughing at my plan. I might not like the way the things pan out but they get me to achieve same result.

btw, @kaylen alexandra i noticed you changed the name of your newsletter. Why? 😊

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kaylen alexandra's avatar

I like that you have a sense of humor around plans! I think many of us could benefit from realizing that we were never really in control of the plan.

& I did! Thnx for noticing! I found that I am evolving, and Dear People Pleasers felt too tight. The Fifth Pillar suits me where I'm at now...taking the four pillars of emotional intelligence and putting them into action! <3

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Shef Tobi πŸ‘¨πŸ½β€πŸ³'s avatar

oh wow! so the 5th pillar signifies β€œaction” ?

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kaylen alexandra's avatar

That’s a cool way to put it, yes :)

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Shef Tobi πŸ‘¨πŸ½β€πŸ³'s avatar

you’re deep deep! i love your brain, KA!

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Oluwatobiloba's avatar

On asking questions, I only ask people that when I want to know truly, because I answer truthfully when someone asks me and kinda expect others to do the same.

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