During the pandemic the question "How are you doing" is frequently asked, but oftentimes the answer is not so simple. For an upcoming performance, quotes will be read from anonymous answers to the question "How are you doing?" and grounding and releasing rituals will be performed. This performance is for everyone who feels conflicting feelings during the pandemic that have been difficult to express in polite conversation - the wonderful and terrible, sharp and soft, reflective and distracted, grounded and falling apart. If you would like to contribute to an experience of collective catharsis, please continue on to the following writing exercise.

Please remember that this is for healing. I encourage you to set personal boundaries for what you choose to share so that you do not retraumatize or trigger yourself, if you are not ready in your heart and body to share it.

Before answering, please make sure you are in a safe and comfortable space. Then, take a deep breath. Or two, or three, or however many more you need to in order to feel connected to where you are sitting - when you can feel where your feet touch the ground and where your legs press into a seat.

Then, imagine (or physically perform) drawing a circle in the air extending as far away from you as you need to with your hand. This circle creates a sphere that completely surrounds you, going into the ground and up above you. When your circle feels complete, you can write into this portal anything you need to safely and honestly answer the question "how are you doing?" Write for as little or as long as you like.

Review and replace information you wish to remain anonymous with your favorite number.

When you are finished writing, complete the following ritual by acknowledging:
5 things you see
4 things you can touch
3 things you hear
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste.

Then, acknowledge gratitude towards yourself for your courage as you imagine (or physically perform) holding your hand out to break the circle you created.

I will share quotes from your submitting during my performance of "how are you doing" at Woskob Family Gallery on Friday, November 5 from 6-8pm.

Thank you for sharing honestly, and being part of this experience.