
Here are 11 ideas to direct the conversation when somebody’s checking in on you. Or your mom or dad may blithely ask, what’s going on Even though they may not use the words checking in, you know that is the intention of the call, text, or social media message. The concerned friend may send a link to an article and say, this made me think of you. Even if you’re desperate to vent about how annoyed you are that your work passion project was cancelled by the boss, the first back-to-the-office happy hour may not be the right time for you to talk about it. These just checking in emails, calls, or texts may be expertly contrived. It may also help to assess how close you feel to the person checking on you, and how comfortable you are sharing ~personal news~ with them. If there’s been a lot going on in your life and you could stand to let someone in on it, it’s worth thinking on your response for a little bit (or preparing it in advance) instead of going with that knee-jerk, all-good-nothing-to-see-here reaction, Bisma Anwar, LMHC, a therapist with therapy platform Talkspace, tells Bustle.

The best way to respond to “ Just checking on you” depends on what feels worth it to you to share. Whether you’re being asked how you’re doing over text, or running into the question at a cocktail party, responding to “How are you, really?” in a way that sounds real and honest - but doesn’t share more than you’d like - is a puzzle of Knives Out-like proportions.


After all, they don’t really want a rundown of everything that’s stressing you out in alphabetical order, do they? It’s so much easier to be polite and pretend everything’s all right (even though, obviously, it’s not). Need to pay a bill, make a change, or just get some information With just a few clicks you can access the GEICO Insurance Agency partner your boat. If you do not trust someone who is asking you to share or you are feeling that they may have ulterior motives for. It’s so tempting to just say “Fine!” when somebody asks how you are. Trust your instinct, Charmain Jackman Ph.D., a psychologist, tells Bustle.
