how are you?
how are you?
To this question ‘I am fine’ is like a reflex answer. After all, that’s the answer that has been taught to one as part of. one’s grooming education.. isn’t it? And sometimes the person asking this question doesn’t really mean it. It’s just a courtesy question, or maybe just a conversation starter.
But did you ever ponder how you are and then share your thoughts around it? Share how you really are? How you really feel? Physically, mentally, emotionally. Most people don’t… Unless they are physically going through pain, the answer always remains ‘I am fine.’
I often wonder why people don’t talk about their mental and emotional state of mind. Isn’t it important enough? Just because emotions and thoughts are not visible it does not mean that one is immune to them. As a human our mental and emotional state plays a huge role in how we function and has a direct effect on one’s physical state. And we as a society are on an edge to de-stigmatise mental health! Especially as we survive these pandemic times where lives have been lost and livelihood disrupted.
It’s high time when someone asks us how we are.. we actually take some time to ponder over it and answer how we really are! And it’s even more important for people to care and genuinely mean when they ask someone how they really are doing? Observe, notice and sense. Be more empathetic. National Institutes of Health data states that in the USA 1 in every 4 people suffer from a mental health condition at any given point in their life. The numbers have been increasing in India and all over the world as well. Especially in these pandemic times when lives are being lost, livelihood has become uncertain; it is even more critical to be empathetic.
Empathy does not mean donating a huge amount of money or filling up your social media channels with all the feel-good posts.
It is in the most simple things. From noticing the everyday patterns of a loved one to sensing when they are in turmoil.. every little thing that you do to show care counts!
And today my question to you here is… Did you take time to genuinely ask your loved one how they really are?
A call out to the creative fraternity.
As a member of the creative fraternity; I reckon that empathy is innate! The creator in us is sensitive to our environment .. observes the mood and notices the details and emotions. Our brain is trained to do and see what normal humans find difficulty in! In other words, we have the superpower to look at this world from varied perspectives! We can become the superhumans who change the world and save it!
Personally, as a design researcher, I try doing my bit to make mental health a norm. The first step is to notice .. notice who is in your environment. Observe the mood, the emotion and sense the opportunity to implement or make the change.. and plough your way through using your superpowers!
If you are a writer...go on and write about it. If you are an illustrator communicate the issue visually. If you are a musician connect to those millions with your songs. Isn’t it all about understanding the language your environment speaks and connect to them through it with your creations! I urge you to use your creative superpower and make this change in your way however big or small it may be. After all ‘With great power comes greater responsibility’(Spider-Man, 2002). Doesn’t it?
References :
Spider-Man. 2002. [film] Directed by S. Raimi. USA: Columbia Pictures Corporation & Marvel Enterprises.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLj988xA08I
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/mental-health-disorder-statistics
Notes:
The author has always been in a frame of mind where she took everything she heard quite literally. especially the questions. ‘How are you’ for her is one such instance which triggered that people take things for granted and do not mean what they ask or answer.
