To be fair…I’m done with empty pleasantries.

We’re experiencing so many difficult, strange, hard things right now and I don’t know about you but at times, I am not sure what to say or how to act or what to ask people. A lot of the time I resort to “How are you?” without the intention of truly hearing how the other person is fairing.

My mind trailed back to four years ago this month – the last memories I have of walking through hallways as an employee in a corporate office setting – and how every time…EVERY TIME…I’d pass someone, even if it was the third time the same day, we’d politely smile, nod hello and question, “How are you?”

Most of the times I wouldn’t expect an answer back as we rushed past each other or I would merely respond with a head nod saying, “Pretty good,” regardless of the truth.

What a disservice to ourselves and others, yet it was the norm just what we were used to.

So I am done with (empty) pleasantries.

I am interested in hearing – really hearing – what is going on in your life, within your cubicle, with your projects, and what you desire for your future.

I am interested in holding space for the humans integral in my life experience. Especially during this globally shared life experience. No more empty pleasantries.

If I don’t have the time or bandwidth in the moment I will instead say hello, wish you a great day and pay deep attention to what you’re putting out to identify the best time to pause and talk with you!

If you are also tired of empty pleasantries, I invite you instead to simply say hello – or it’s so good to see you – use your energy to genuinely ACKNOWLEDGE the other person in passing. That is unless you have time to pause your sprint to the copier or cafeteria or next meeting to truly stop, inquire, listen and hold space for the person standing in front of you.