100 WAYS TO ANSWER THE

QUESTION “HOW ARE YOU?”

1 © ChronicBabe.com 2013. Feel free to share with friends, but contact us if you want reprints. Thanks!
 100 WAYS TO ANSWER THE
QUESTION “HOW ARE YOU?”
by ChronicBabe

Thanks!
Thanks for
being awesome.
Thanks for
being part of the
ChronicBabe
community.
Thanks for
always offering
your fave tips for
us to share. XO!

You probably get asked this every day: How

are you? Sometimes, the answer’s not easy.
       “How  are  you?”  It’s  a   blunt  response.  We  may          You  may  want  to  pick  out  
simple  question,  just  three   wish  we  could  tell  the   a  few  of  your  favorites  and  
little  words  and  a  question   whole  truth  but  hope  we   practice  saying  them  aloud.  
mark. can  get  away  with  a  little   You  may  wish  to  adapt  
       But  for  us  ChronicBabes,   white  lie.  We  may  not  feel   them  to  Mit  your  
the  question  can  give  us   safe  enough  to  be   situation...and  that’s  
pause.  It’s  not  always  the   completely  authentic. PERFECT.  We  just  want  to  
easiest  to  answer!          So  we  came  up  with  100   help  you  get  started.
       We  may  not  want  to  talk   starters  for  conversation.          Good  luck!  If  you  have  
about  what’s  going  wrong.   These  are  meant  to  be   more  ideas,  let  us  know.  
We  may  yearn  for  support   conversation  prompts:  A        XO,  Editrix  Jenni  &  
but  aren’t  sure  how   thing  to  consider  when   Communications  Manager  
someone  will  respond  to  a   forming  your  answer.   Michelle  Pizzo

2 © ChronicBabe.com 2013. Feel free to share with friends, but contact us if you want reprints. Thanks!
 Sometimes we can’t be 100% honest.
100 WAYS TO ANSWER “HOW ARE YOU?” by ChronicBabe

But we can respond gracefully.

1. I’m  Mine.  How  are  you?   It takes a lot of patience to answer
“how are you” when you feel like crap.
(Sometimes  you  need  to  say   That’s why we’ve included some
this  even  when  you  don’t   responses that turn the question around
feel  Cine) to the asker, which keeps the
conversation light and positive—and
2. I’m  AWAP  (As  Well  As   takes pressure off of you.
Possible).
3. I’m  trying  really  hard  to   10. Wondering  how  you  are.
avoid  ambiguous  questions   11. Strange,  and  getting  stranger.
at  the  moment. 12. My  usual  Devil-­‐may-­‐care  self.
4. (Just  answer  with  the  same   13. I’m  endeavoring  to  
question:)  How  are  you? persevere.
5. I  could  complain,  but  I’m  not   14. How  am  I  what?  
going  to. 15. Not  so  hot,  but  nothing  a  stiff  
6. Upright  and  still  breathing. drink  and  some  girl  talk  
7. Thanks  for  caring  babe!  Glad   couldn’t  Mix.
to  be  here  with  you. 16. How  do  you  think  I  am?
8. Better  than  yesterday,  but   17. Do  you  want  the  short  
not  as  good  as  I  will  be   version  or  the  long  one?
tomorrow! 18. Eh,  you  win  some  you  lose  
9. I  am. some.

One more
tip: Find the
responses
that work
best for you
& keep a list
to refer to in
times of
stress. This
is useful for
use when
responding
to emails,
texts, vmails
and more.

3 © ChronicBabe.com 2013. Feel free to share with friends, but contact us if you want reprints. Thanks!
100 WAYS TO ANSWER “HOW ARE YOU?” by ChronicBabe
“I’ve been living with chronic illness for more
than 15 years. My life isn’t perfect—far from it.
But I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve. One of
my faves: Always have a few favorite
responses to the how are you question. The
more honest you can be with people, the
better you’ll feel, the more authentic. And the
more you can answer in a way that involves
them—turns the question around so you’re
asking them how they are feeling—the easier it
is to move on to more fun topics.”

- ChronicBabe Founder & Editrix

Jenni Prokopy

Love yourself enough to be authentic.

Love others enough to answer with kindness.
19. I’ll  leave  that  up  to  your  imagination. 27. Who  wants  to  know?
20. Shhhhh.  It’s  a  secret. 28. Not  my  best  day,  but  not  my  worst  
21. I’ll  let  you  know  when  I  Migure  it  out. day,  either.
22. Taking  deep  breaths.   29. Let’s  just  say  less  than  super.
23. Ready  for  tomorrow. 30. Wouldn’t  you  like  to  know!
24. To  tell  you  the  truth,  my  ______  hurts,   31. I’m  taking  it  easy.
but  my  doc’s  working  on  a  solution   32. Staying  grounded.
for  me  so  I’m  hopeful. 33. (bunch  of  grunts,  gurgles,  and  other  
25. I’ve  been  better. random  noises)  pssh,  fft,  mmhm,  ya  
26. Trying  to  stay  positive.   know?

4 © ChronicBabe.com 2013. Feel free to share with friends, but contact us if you want reprints. Thanks!
 Give yourself permission.
100 WAYS TO ANSWER “HOW ARE YOU?” by ChronicBabe

Permission to get real. Or permission to fib.

34. Trying  to  Mit  the  good  in  with  the   58. Mama  said  there’d  be  days  like  this,  
bad,  you  know? there’d  be  days  like  this,  my  mama  
35. I  don’t  know. said.
36. Give  me  a  chocolate  bar  and  I’ll  be   59. Instead  of  waking  up  on  the  wrong  
fantastic! side  of  the  bed,  I  think  I  woke  up  
37. Ready  for  a  nap. underneath  it.
38. Does  it  matter?  I’m  a  babe  no  matter   60. Remembering  to  stay  patient.
what  ;) 61. Trying  not  to  burst  into  tears.  I  get  
39. Not  in  the  mood  to  discuss  how  I   an  A  for  effort,  right?
feel,  but  thanks  for  asking—it  really   62. In  need  of  some  “me  time.”
helps  to  know  you  care. 63. I  feel  like  crap!  Know  any  good  dirty  
40. Somewhere  between  blah  and  meh. jokes  to  cheer  me  up?
41. I  put  pants  on,  didn’t  I? 64. Taking  all  the  love  and  support  I  can  
42. Hold  on,  let  me  get  the  sleep  out  of   get,  thanks!
my  eyes. 65. As  happy  as  a  clam,  a  clam  that’s  
43. Just  hug  me  and  leave  it  at  that. been  cracked  open,  doused  in  lemon  
44. I  could  really  go  for  a  back  massage! and  shot  down  the  gullet  of  some  
45. Same  old,  same  old. tourist  in  a  tacky  Hawaiian  shirt.
46. I  could  really  go  for  a  walk,  want  to   66. Appreciating  the  things  I  have.
join  me? 67. Getting  there.
47. (If  you  have  the  time)  Let’s  make   68. On  a  scale  of  one  to  punching  
some  tea  and  talk  about  it. someone  in  the  face?
48. Ready  for  my  meds.  :D 69. In  desperate  need  of  a  mani/pedi.
49. Trying  to  come  out  on  top. 70. Somewhere  between  drab  and  fab.
50. In  need  of  some  peace  and  quiet. 71. Things  are  bound  to  get  better,  yes?
51. Get  back  to  me  on  that. 72. Not  giving  up.
52. Oooooohhhmmmm. 73. Getting  stronger.
53. Under  construction. 74. Learning.
54. Looking  to  put  some  pep  back  in   75. Rolling  with  the  punches.
my  step. 76. You  can’t  know  pleasure  without  
55. Thinking  about  getting  away  from  it   pain,  right?  :)
all...want  to  plan  a  mini-­‐vacation? 77. In  a  give-­‐no-­‐shits,  take-­‐no-­‐prisoners  
56. Improving. kind  of  mood.
57. I’m  trying  to  be  a  “big  girl”  about  all   78. I  get  knocked  down,  but  I  get  up  
of  this. again!

5 © ChronicBabe.com 2013. Feel free to share with friends, but contact us if you want reprints. Thanks!
100 WAYS TO ANSWER “HOW ARE YOU?” by ChronicBabe 79. Gearing  up  for  a  
What’s a great way to
comeback.  I’ll  keep   practice your responses to
you  posted  on  my   “how are you?” Talk with a
progress. friend. Run through some
scenarios. Take their
80. Rooting  for  the   advice—sometimes we get
underdog  (me). too ingrained in our
thought processes and a
81. Gotta  keep  on   friend can help us gain new
keepin’  on. perspective.
82. I’ve  seen  better  days.
83. If  I  was  an  animal  
right  now,  I’d  
probably  be  a  sloth  
(or  a  turtle).
84. Ready  for  you  to  
make  a  goofy  face/
make  me  laugh/
make  me  smile. 89. Crazy.    sdhjMhj   92. I’m  feeling  really  
85. Do  you  want  to  join   kljdghpe’sh;g’ep;   grateful  for  this  
me  in  a  nice  long,   ea’khg  sdjhm,  right? beautiful  day.  
relaxing  scream?   90. I’m  feeling  more  like   (This  is  a  great  way  
AAARRRGGHHHH Oscar  the  Grouch   to  take  the  focus  
86. I  mean,  I’m  not  doing   than  Elmo  right  now. off  of  you  and  onto  
jumping  jacks  or  back   91. I  feel  like  crap,  but   some  shared  
Mlips,  but  I’m  here.   doing  the  best  I  can.   experience  that  
87. You  can’t  win  ‘em  all. Tomorrow’s  another   you’re  having  with  
88. Imagining  myself  on  a   day,  yea? the  other  person)
beach  far  away.

Benefits of authenticity: and  trust.  Not  only  will  you  help  

Mind. Body. Soul. your  friend/neighbor/colleague  
understand  you  better,  but  you’ll  
       Sometimes,  when  it’s  the  
feel  a  deeper  connection.  That  
hardest,  is  we  need  to  be  the  
most  honest.  We  can’t  live  a  lie;   connection  adds  support,  which  
the  pressure  is  too  much  for  most   you  really  need!  
       So  consider  authenticity.  Is  
of  us  when  we  try.
there  a  way  to  talk  to  people  
       Being  authentic  in  your  
about  your  experience  and  be  
One of Editrix Jenni’s favorite ways to responses  when  someone  asks  
how  you  are  can  establish  a  real   REAL  with  them?  Give  it  a  try.  
steer a conversation is to talk about
hobbies. Like her nail polish fetish.
sense  of  intimacy,  understanding   We  believe  in  you!

6 © ChronicBabe.com 2013. Feel free to share with friends, but contact us if you want reprints. Thanks!
 These 100 prompts are just the start.
100 WAYS TO ANSWER “HOW ARE YOU?” by ChronicBabe

Use them as a basis for more ideas.

93. Better  now  that  you’re   Everyone has a favorite way to
respond to the “how are you?”
here  ;) question. Editrix Jenni sometimes
94. I  don’t  feel  that  great,  but  my   likes to keep it simple, just saying,
hair  looks  awesome,  right? “Fine, thanks. And you?” Other
times, she’s all, “Life is the suck
95. Today  I’m  more  CHRONIC   today! Care to distract me with
than  BABE. some reality TV?”
96. Not  so  hot.  Wanna  help   The details aren’t important.
distract  me  by  telling  me   Retool any (or all) of these
about  your  day? conversation prompts to fit
YOUR unique situation.
97. Keepin’  busy,  which  is  a  good  
distraction  from  my  other   And remember two things:
tough  stuff. be flexible, and cut yourself
some slack.
98. I’ll  be  better  when  ______  gets  
Mixed,  but  for  now  I’m  doin’   Oh! And don’t forget that everyone
here at ChronicBabe HQ loves you!
OK.  Thanks! XO!
99. I’m  glad  to  see  you!  What’s  
new?
100.  I’m  giving  her  all  she’s  got,  
Captain!

Wondering
where all
these photos
come from?
Jenni’s
phone, that’s
where. :)
Follow
her on
Instagram
for more.

7 © ChronicBabe.com 2013. Feel free to share with friends, but contact us if you want reprints. Thanks!
 THANK YOU!
by ChronicBabe

Have some
tips
we missed?
Shoot them
our way and
we’ll add
them in to
the next
edition.

We can’t do it without you.

Become part of the ChronicBabe community.
       This  is  a  community   offer  solutions  and  tips  of   Facebook,  to  get  fast  
because  you’re  a  part  of   your  own  or  just  get   health  news  and  other  
it,  and  there  are  so  many   something  off  your  chest.   babelicious  updates.  
ways  to  connect  with          Also,  make  sure  to  sign          Follow  ChronicBabe  on  
ChronicBabes.   up  for  the  ChronicBabe   Instagram  and  Pinterest  
       Check  out  the  website   newsletter  at  the   for  cute  pictures  that  lead  
where  you  can  shop  and   website,  where  we  share   to  smart  thoughts  and  
read  articles  that   lots  of  freebies  and   articles.
motivate  or  help  you   announce  upcoming          That  should  keep  you  
learn  to  deal  with  your   projects!   busy.  See  you  online!  
chronic  illness.          You  can  chat  with  us  on  
       Make  sure  to  Mind  the   many  social  media          XO,  and  thanks!  
forum  where  you  can   channels,  like  Twitter  and          -­‐  Editrix  Jenni

8 © ChronicBabe.com 2013. Feel free to share with friends, but contact us if you want reprints. Thanks!