HOW ARE YOU DOING?

Jane Alexander, Grand Marais

We live in an era of 24-hour news cycles and the news is downright depressing. Pretending everything is okay, when it clearly is not, can actually make one feel worse. 

Responding to the question  “How are you?” authentically without oversharing or lecturing and shutting down constructive dialogue is a muscle I need to develop. If  you answer the question honestly it can be a revolutionary act of self awareness and activism. And it just might make someone else feel a little less alone.

I’m bumbling along with the rest of you but here are a few things I’ve tried that have started cathartic conversations:

1. “I’m ok. The news is so unsettling and I’m  measuring my angst by the number of chocolate croissants I’ve been eating at the Crosby Bakery each week. "

Humor is something we all could use a bit more of these days. Saying something silly but relatable is validating without having to relay all the specifics of what is bringing you down. 

2. “I’m feeling so overwhelmed right now but I’m trying to find ways to help me stay grounded”

This answer names the collective angst most of us are feeling and opens the door to a conversation  about how your friends and neighbors are coping. You might pick up a few tips that will help you sleep better at night.

3. “It’s been too much. Do you have the bandwidth to talk about it with me?”

This is my answer when I’m feeling the most vulnerable.  I’m not likely to respond this way to people I don’t know very well.  I like it because it respects the other person’s boundaries but breaks mine wide open!

So, HOW ARE YOU?   Let me know in the comments section!