I struggle with small talk. I enjoy speaking with people in depth, people that speak with emotion, and yes, passion.
I’ve had to train myself that most people’s “How are you?” is rhetorical. I quietly tell myself, 'Andrea, just tell them you’re fine. They don’t need to hear of what your soul is actually dealing with right now’.
The sad part of that is that when I ask others how they are, I really want to know. "Hey, how are you? How are you, really?"