I say “getting better.” Optimism, but it also says things aren’t great right now. But they can get better.

Joke answers that, while untrue, make me smile when I respond.

"Happier than a possum up a pant leg."

"Busier than a one-armed wallpaper hanger."

"Going crazier than a shit-house rat." is my favorite but not always cromulent.

"Still kicking but not screaming!"

"Fine". Anything that is "fine" is certainlg not.

just say "not well" if you are not well. if they dont care, then what do you care what they think.

personally i find it degrading to pretend everything is fine if things are not fine.

"Better than I deserve"

If it's someone I have a specific reason to believe does not enjoy the suffering of others, "Not gonna lie, I'm straight up not having a good time my dude"

But usually it's "Oh, you know"

"Getting by" or "carrying on" assuming I don't want to invite deeper discussion of my issues.

"I'm still here."

"Okay, thanks for asking. How are you?”

Been better been worse

Eh you know

I've been I've been

Even the nurses ask that in an office where a majority of patients have crippling, often painful disabilities. lmao. Can't escape it. I just mentally replace it with "hi" in my head and respond "decent, thanks" ("hello"). Or if I'm really struggling, I leave off the thanks.

“Livin’ the dream”