As Time Ticks Away
Listen to the Audio:
I’m sitting at my desk, staring at the clock on the wall. The second hand moves so slowly, but somehow each tick feels louder and louder in my head. I really thought I would’ve been done with my assignment by now, but the words just won’t come together.
I glance at my phone and check the time again. It feels like I’ve been sitting here for hours, but it’s only been thirty minutes. That somehow makes the pressure feel even worse. The deadline is coming, and I can feel it.
I try writing a few sentences, but they don’t sound right, so I erase them. I try again, erase again. Every time I look up, the clock seems to mock me—like it’s reminding me that time is slipping away no matter what I do.
I start wondering if it’s even worth pushing through right now, or if maybe taking a quick break would help me think more clearly. My hand hovers over my phone as I think about sending a message, just to let out some of the frustration.
So I finally texted someone and wrote, “I feel like I’ve been stuck at this desk for hours, but the clock says it’s only been thirty minutes. Time is moving so slowly—it’s driving me crazy.”
Before I decide what to do next, here’s the message they sent me.
Friend’s Reply:
Transcript:
I’m sitting at my desk, staring at the clock on the wall. The second hand moves so slowly, but somehow each tick feels louder and louder in my head. I really thought I would’ve been done with my assignment by now, but the words just won’t come together.
I glance at my phone and check the time again. It feels like I’ve been sitting here for hours, but it’s only been thirty minutes. That somehow makes the pressure feel even worse. The deadline is coming, and I can feel it.
I try writing a few sentences, but they don’t sound right, so I erase them. I try again, erase again. Every time I look up, the clock seems to mock me—like it’s reminding me that time is slipping away no matter what I do.
I start wondering if it’s even worth pushing through right now, or if maybe taking a quick break would help me think more clearly. My hand hovers over my phone as I think about sending a message, just to let out some of the frustration.
So I finally texted someone and wrote, “I feel like I’ve been stuck at this desk for hours, but the clock says it’s only been thirty minutes. Time is moving so slowly—it’s driving me crazy.”
Before I decide what to do next, here’s the message they sent me.
Friend’s Texted Reply:
“Ugh, I know that feeling. When you’re waiting or stressed, every minute feels longer. Maybe a quick break will help. Do you want to step away for a bit, or just push through and finish?”
Respond To Each Question:
What emotions is the speaker experiencing while watching the clock, and what makes those feelings grow stronger?
What might be the pros and cons of taking a short break when feeling stuck or pressured by time?
How does the image of the clock “mocking” the speaker symbolize the relationship between time, stress, and creativity?
What strategies would you suggest when someone feels stuck like this?
How would you personally respond to this situation?
