Level 3 · Boundaries

Structured conversation

One topic. Twenty minutes. Either of you can pause at any point.

Tonight's topic

"What I need when plans change at short notice."

20 minTurn-basedPause allowed
  1. 1

    Set the frame

    One topic. 20 minutes. Either of you can call a pause at any point without justifying it.

  2. 2

    Speaker

    Describe your own experience. Use 'I noticed', 'I felt', 'I needed'. No history, no diagnosis.

  3. 3

    Listener

    Reflect back what you heard before responding. Ask one clarifying question.

  4. 4

    Swap

    Change roles. Same rules, same time.

  5. 5

    Close

    Each of you names one thing you'll carry forward. No decisions made while activated.

If either of you becomes flooded, stop. A paused conversation returned to is worth more than a finished one that escalated.

Call a pause