I don’t tend to lie well.⁠ ⁠

And even when I try, my eyes give me away.⁠

⁠

There just comes a point at which you can’t fake being well any longer and your body answers the “how are you?” question FOR you.⁠ ⁠

 

So I make it a point to just be honest.⁠ ⁠

 

Not Eeyore, mind you. I’m just not gonna tell everyone I’m great when it’s obvious I’m not.⁠ ⁠

 

So, what are some honest options that are not negative or TMI? ⁠ ⁠

Here are a few of my own go-to responses to “how are you?” when I’m not “great!”⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠

 

“Eh, I’m hanging in there.”⁠ ⁠

“Meh.”⁠ ⁠

“I’ve been better but I’ve been worse.”⁠ ⁠

“Moderate to fair.”⁠ ⁠

“I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus. I’m going home.”⁠ ⁠

“I’m not super, but I’ll be okay.”⁠ ⁠

“Oh, you know… living the dream.” *sarcasm*⁠ ⁠

“I’m so-so.” (Also en francais, “comme ci, comme ca.”)⁠ ⁠

“Actually, today is REALLY crappy. But I’m hangin on.”⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠

 

Honesty with a hint of sarcastic levity.⁠ ⁠ That’s what you can count on from me.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠

 

And trust me―⁠ ⁠

if I ask YOU how you’re doing and YOUR eyes tell me something different than your words?⁠ ⁠ ⁠