:] Ah. *shrug* It is technically true on a literal physical level. <x} But I'm a damn liar for sayin' "good" all the time. Even to my therapist. :/ It's just a default phrase I suppose. It's code for, "let's move on from this old small talk question, and get to the nitty gritty." /x} But luckily I do tell him honestly how I feel later on. <:} And sort through those feelings.

Eff your parents then. Be proud of those small everyday victories!

I ate today. And I'm proud of myself for seeking food. :}
Like that?

Exactly like that.

I need food I'm poor broke and foodless

Totally get not even wanting to say "I'm okay" when someone wants to make small talk. But then they may not understand the small victories of things like, "I brushed my teeth today!"

Do it like me, don't answer, just reply immediately with 'how are you?' if you keep asking, you don't have to answer

I sometimes use that line, but for complete strangers it can be awkward because they already have the "Good!" reply loaded up.

"How are you today?"

Acceptable unacceptable answers:
"F*ckin' TIRED!"
"I'm me, this time."
"Hungry for JUSTICE!"
"I'm not sure, I didn't decide yet."
"I'm so depressed and I hate everything that is happening...how are you?"
"Well, I'm not on fire."
"I'm conscious."
"Sick, with a bad case of DGAF."
"I forgot. I'll get back to you when I remember."
"How is ANYone today?"
"Absolutely..."
"I'm nice. Can't promise I still will be in the next four hours though."
"I'm not curled up in bed so, I'm doin' pretty horribly."
"Well now, I'm upset."
"I'm a diamond, what are you today?"
"Thank you for asking. I'm flattered."
"*sigh* Just Potatoes."
"I'm unstoppable! *proceeds to do something nobody can do to stop you about*"
"I'm in love!~ Let me tell you alllllllll about it!"
"I want to cry, but it's socially risky so, I won't."
"I'm clean. What about you..?"

Will have to try some of those out. We can make it a contest to see who gets the best reaction.

Ooh, loving the Hungry For JUSTICE! one!

oh a good deflection is to talk about the weather

how are you? 'ah this heat, it's terrible, but how are you?'

Another deflection, "hehe, your epidermis is showing." x'D

:/