I'm 44 and I just realized that every time someone asks me how I'm doing I say 'I'm fine' automatically - not because I'm lying but because I genuinely don't know the answer to that question - Silicon Canals

"At some point, most of us learn that 'how are you?' isn't really a question. It's a greeting. And 'I'm fine' isn't really an answer. It's a way of keeping things moving."

"The problem is that the autopilot doesn't switch off when it should. It stays on with your partner. With your mates. With your family. And eventually, with yourself."

"After enough years of performing 'fine,' you forget that there was ever anything underneath it."

"For me, the cracks showed up during my divorce."

Many people respond to the question "How are you?" with automatic replies like "I'm fine," which often lack true self-reflection. This behavior can become ingrained, leading individuals to stop checking in with themselves emotionally. Over time, especially in environments where vulnerability is discouraged, people may forget their true feelings. This disconnect can manifest in personal crises, revealing the limitations of superficial interactions and the importance of honest self-assessment.

Read at Silicon Canals