In every social situation I have been in, I always get stumped on how to answer, “How have you been?” “How are you,” or, “How did ____ go?”

I certainly hesitate before providing any kind of answer, even if it’s just, “Good.”

The question always catches me off guard for some reason. Am I surprised that someone is actually asking me a question about how I’m feeling? Or perhaps I don’t even know how I’m feeling and don’t know how to answer the question anytime it’s posed. I figure the latter is more correct.

How am I? I guess I’m not suicidal or feeling depressed (aside from lack of energy and motivation) currently, so at least I’m not feeling bad. Am I fine? Am I good? Answering “I’ve been better” just opens up the existential conversation of my mental breakdown. Am I numb? Tired? Exhausted?

I don’t even know how I’m feeling so I don’t know how to answer that question. I don’t know what I’m feeling. Neutral? Undetermined? Is that an acceptable answer?