My 1000-Word Answer to ‘How R U?’

OK, hbu? — I won’t say this to a friend

Photo by Jason Strull on Unsplash

First, let me tell you my approach to communicating with people online.

I don’t normally try to engage in an online conversation if I cannot spend at least 5 to 10 minutes chatting with that person. So, if I’m sending you a message out of the blue, that means I’ve decided I could spend time chatting with you for a little while.

But the internet is crazy and we can’t always be online at the same time.

So if you didn’t reply at the time I sent you a message and decided to reply at a later time, I will then have to consider whether or not I am willing to spend five to ten minutes catching up with you at that time.

If I am, I’d send you a reply.

If not, I will not read your message until I am.

There you go! That’s how I approach online chats.

Now, to my answer if you ever asked me how I am.

Thank you for asking!

There are usually three kinds of people who ask me how I am - those who worry that I am not doing okay, those who intend to ask for a favor, and those who are genuinely curious how I’m doing.

And I suppose you belong to the third category and that’s why you’re still reading this long message.

I thought it wouldn’t be enough if I just said I’m okay.

I am a complex human being with complicated emotions and feelings. I also have thousands of thoughts coming in and out of my brain every second. I am processing a lot of information. And so are you. I acknowledge that.

I have been staying at home for the past three months because of the potential dangers outside.

I am unable to feel the wind rushing through my face like I used to whenever I run. Luckily, I am able to get exposed to sunlight whenever the rays decide to pass through the only window in my room. I am not sure if you know, but a little sunlight from time to time can actually lift our moods. Go get some if you can :)

With some of the restrictions lifted right now, I can actually go out to do important transactions. But I’d still choose to do everything online and not go out if possible. I’m a risk taker, but if my and my family’s health were to be at risk, I wont take any.

Exercising has become a part of my daily routine. I used to walk at least an hour a day. While that’s also possible inside our humble home, I’d rather do an exercise routine than circle around our house 10,000 times just to complete the hour of walking. Besides, I know I need to build muscles and lose fat. And walking for an hour just won’t make the cut.

Have I gained weight? Yep.

It’s not as much as you’d imagine. I’ve been exercising, y’know. But it’s enough to make me take a second look at my eating habits. Staying at home all-day, all-week, all-month for the past three months meant I had access to food all the time and that meant self-discipline is my weight’s enemy. I started watching my weight and my calorie intake again when I realized this.

You know what they say: exercise is just the icing of the cake. It’s what you do in the kitchen that actually sculpts majority of your physique.

I’m a work in progress.

We all are.

I hope you’re doing okay.

By the way, if you’re still unaware, I started a podcast in March and I’m now on the second season. I started doing interviews. First, with friends and people I know. Check it out! And if you’d like, I could also have you on the show. We can talk about the things you’re currently interested on. Your passion. Your aspirations. Just let me know.

I forgot if you were into books or not. It’s been a while since we talked so you’ve also probably changed a lot.

As for me, I am and I will always be in love with books. Words are powerful and it amazes me every time I learn something new. Sometimes I just can’t wait to share them with people so I just mention it in passing to my family or I chat with some other friends who are in love with knowledge.

What else should I tell you?

I am sleeping better these days. I have deprived myself of sleep for quite a long time. Imagine sleeping for two to three hours for over two years. It’s crazy, but I survived. And those days weren’t really bad because I’ve been extremely productive. It’s just that right now, I should at least give myself some time to sleep. My muscles won’t grow if I didn’t. lol

I guess, that’s all.

Sounds like I’m okay, right?

Would you have liked it better, if I said just that?

“Thanks for asking. I’m okay! How are you?”

That’s just not me. At least, not who I am right now.

That’s it! It’s not a thousand words, but it’s long enough to be more than just “okay”.

How about you (you who are reading this right now)? How are you?

If you have a long answer, I’d read and probably respond too.