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Feb 33 min read

Seriously, How Are You Doing Today?

Elmo's simple question allowed the world to express their feelings.

Title card featuring Elmo's question

Thank you, Elmo. You furry, first-person speaking, three-year-old you.


For those who don't keep track of Muppet news, Sesame Street's Elmo blew up the interwebs at the end of January. He did so by asking a simple question on Threads and X: "How is everybody doing?" The response was overwhelming. His query received views in the hundreds of millions and responses in the thousands.


Frankly, I think the numbers are due to the post being the only positive thing on X. But I digress.


Responses ranged from variations of "I'm okay" to people unburdening their emotions on the preschooler with a giant hole in his tushy. They revealed things to Elmo they never addressed to their friends, family, or therapists. In general, responders vented.


Elmo tried to respond to as many responses as possible. Eventually, the Sesame Street account on X commented with links for mental health resources. Overall, it was a testament to the positive power social media can exert when, you know, it's not spewing hate.


Seriously, Are You Okay?

The event got me thinking about the state of our collective mental health. Twenty percent of the nation's adults, that's one in five people, report some form of mental disorder. There are millions more who have neurodivergent issues but don't take care of them.


Yet, when asked how they're doing, folks respond with "Fine" or some other opaque answer. Heck, even I do it so I don't burden someone who faces their own issues. The thing is, it doesn't help either party.


Should we delve into every insecurity and fear when someone asks that question? If we want to keep connecting with them, probably not. However, saying you're not fine doesn't hurt. It can lead to an open discussion where everyone shares their fears.


I believe this is critical for creatives since we're altogether unique bundles of insecurity. We deal with imposter syndrome, artistic blocks, and concerns we aren't doing enough to get our names out in the world. We type "The" as the first word of the first chapter, slam our fists on the keyboard, and exclaim, "I suck."


Creatives must search out like-minded people to discuss how they're feeling. For everyone with the same issues, two more have jumped over those mental hurdles to move forward. You don't want to vent to your friend who's two months late on their mortgage because they can't find a job. Your writer's block complaints will be met by either a blank stare or a punch to the face.


Preschool Therapists

Here's another thing that came to mind when I heard about the response to Elmo's post. Why do we relate to imaginary preschool therapists and not real ones?


A few years ago, not long after the pandemic ended, Steve from Blue's Clues produced a video explaining why he went away but never forgot his fans. Like Elmo's question, this also went crazy, with tearful responses from parents and former kids who loved Blue's first partner.


Perhaps we overwhelmingly respond because these characters were a security blanket or symbol of a simpler time. Maybe we do it since Elmo or Steve can’t respond with extra work to better ourselves. While it may temporarily help, the mental burdens remain until you take serious action.


What Did We Learn Today, Rich?

How are we doing? Not okay. To become a resilient nation, we must let others know how we feel. If the person we tell can't do anything except provide a sympathetic shoulder, at least it's an opening for mental healing.


Finally, to the creatives -- we all go through the same insecurities if we're just starting or someone at the level of Taylor Swift. Know that talking to your peers and staying away from negativity will help you get through to the other side of success. 


Yours always,

Rich Scott Keller





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