Lately I've become uncomfortable with the "How are you?" question. It's hard to make your first words to someone be a bald-faced lie but it's really too personal to discuss with most people and it would bring everyone down and I'd get reactions of pity and concern rather than normal interaction if I was truthful, so I say I'm fine or I change the subject back to them or tell them something specific that really has nothing to do with how I am. Like I say I'm building shelves. That's not really how I am, it's what I'm doing, but it does in a pinch. Yesterday I went out to a gathering and of course I was asked over and over how I was and to some people I said' "Utterly hopeless and just trying to crawl through each wasted, pointless day," which didn't go over too well, and to others I said, "It's a secret." At least I was honest and didn't feel like I just lie to everyone, but I feel a little bad about it now.