Here is a suggestion for one of the most common public social conversations: “How are you doing?”

For years, I’ve been responding with “I’m awake” and it works. To perfection. When you start trying it, don’t push yourself to say anything else. Get comfortable using it. Because what a response like I’m Awake does, at least for me, is to immediately take control of an unexpected conversation that starts with such a straightforward question.

As you get more comfortable, try directing the, however brief, conversation in ways that are more to your liking. You could add a quip as a little joke. I often add sarcasm because humor lightens my mood. And, at age 42, I’ve found that I use humor almost as often as I utilize music (every day). That’s what life has been like for me..