When someone asks the question “What are you up to?”, they’re generally just making conversation and want to know how you’re spending your time. Your goal should be to give them enough insight without oversharing details you’d rather keep private.
The ideal response is brief yet warm, leaving room for a back-and-forth dialogue. A casual “Not much, just relaxing at home” leaves the interaction feeling one-sided.
Rather than brushing them off, show your willingness to connect by mentioning a current or planned activity in a positive light. Thank the person for asking too – basic politeness costs nothing. A simple “I’m well, thanks for asking!” acknowledges their interest without divulging more than necessary.
How to Reply “What Are You up to”
- Oh just doing some laundry and catching up on Netflix.
- Not much, just doing some laundry and relaxing at home. What about you, any fun plans?
- I’m behind on work actually, but I’d love to catch up over coffee soon if you’re free Friday.
- Just studying for a big test actually. But maybe we could get dinner Sunday if that works for you?
- In a bit I need to finish up a project for work. How about you, any fun weekends plans coming up?
- Not a ton, just wrapping up some assignments for class. I’m looking forward to the long weekend though!
- Oh just puttering around on the computer, might start a new baking project later.
- Not much, thinking of starting a 1000-piece puzzle. How about you?
- Not too much, what exciting things are you up to today?
- Oh you know, the usual. What fun plans do you have going on?
- Just keeping myself entertained for the most part!
- Oh, you know, keeping busy. How can I help you out?
- Nothing special, just hanging around. Thanks for asking though – how have you been?
- Not much, just taking it easy. I appreciate you checking in though – how can I help you out?
- Oh, just catching up on some news online and scrolling through social media.
- Nothing much, was thinking of browsing some news sites and seeing what my friends are up to online.
- Actually reading this fascinating article about XYZ that I can’t put down!
- Thinking of diving into this book I’ve been wanting to read – have you read it?
- Oh, I’ve got some new playlists and podcasts to check out actually.
- Gonna catch up on some new music and podcast episodes I’ve downloaded actually.
- Thinking of starting a new show I heard great things about actually. Have you seen it?
- Was looking through some new shows to binge – any recommendations from what you’ve watched?
- Doing some research about an interesting new topic I’m curious to learn more about.
- Might do some studying up on XYZ topic I’ve been interested in.
- Oh, just have to tackle some little tasks around the house/apartment. Nothing major!
- Was thinking of taking care of a few little errands since I have some free time.
- Nothing locked in yet, still tossing around a few ideas of what to get into. What do you suggest?
- I’m still pondering my options – got any recommendations for a fun way to spend the evening?
- Oh, just enjoying a lazy day relaxing at home. Nothing major planned which will be nice!
Explanations
Share a brief, upbeat activity
Mentioning a simple chore, errand or pastime lets the other person picture how you’re occupying yourself without interrogation. For instance, “Oh just doing some laundry and catching up on Netflix.” This gives them a snapshot into your day while preserving privacy.
Who it’s suitable for:
| Boyfriend | Girlfriend | Family | Friend | Coworker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Example usage:
Friend: “Hey Alex, what are you up to tonight?”
Alex: “Not much, just doing some laundry and relaxing at home. What about you, any fun plans?”
Suggest getting together another time
If you’re swamped and privacy is a concern, politely defer by proposing an alternate meetup. Say something like “I’m behind on work actually, but I’d love to catch up over coffee soon if you’re free Friday.” This acknowledges their outreach while setting boundaries.
Who it’s suitable for:
| Boyfriend | Girlfriend | Family | Friend | Coworker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Example usage:
Mom: “What are your plans for the weekend, sweetie?”
Daughter: “Just studying for a big test actually. But maybe we could get dinner Sunday if that works for you?”
Focus on an upcoming obligation
Alluding to a time-based commitment shifts discussion from the present to future. “In a bit I need to finish up a project for work. How about you, any fun weekends plans coming up?” This addresses their question while transitioning dialogue forward mutually.
Who it’s suitable for:
| Boyfriend | Girlfriend | Family | Friend | Coworker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Example usage:
Friend: “What’s new with you?”
You: “Not a ton, just wrapping up some assignments for class. I’m looking forward to the long weekend though!”
Mention a specific low-key activity
Providing a concrete yet unassuming detail presents a slice of what you’re up to without oversharing. For instance, “Oh just puttering around on the computer, might start a new baking project later.” This gives them substance while protecting deeper privacy.
Who it’s suitable for:
| Boyfriend | Girlfriend | Family | Friend | Coworker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Example usage:
Coworker: “Any weekend plans?”
You: “Not much, thinking of starting a 1000-piece puzzle. How about you?”
Express interest in their activities
Flipping the question back around shows you care how they spend their time too. Say something like “Not too much, what exciting things are you up to today?” This redirects focus positively while opening a two-way dialogue.
Who it’s suitable for:
| Boyfriend | Girlfriend | Family | Friend | Coworker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Example usage:
Friend: “Hey, what are you up to?”
You: “Oh you know, the usual. What fun plans do you have going on?”
Maintain light-hearted ambiguity
Giving a vague yet upbeat response leaves the door open for conversation without forced oversharing. “Just keeping myself entertained for the most part!” with a smile maintains positivity while preserving choice in how much to disclose.
Who it’s suitable for:
| Boyfriend | Girlfriend | Family | Friend | Coworker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Example usage:
Coworker: “What are you up to today?”
You: “Oh, you know, keeping busy. How can I help you out?”
Express gratitude for checking in
Regardless of plans, showing appreciation for their concern builds rapport. “Nothing special, just hanging around. Thanks for asking though – how have you been?” redirects focus to the other person while demonstrating you value the relationship.
Who it’s suitable for:
| Boyfriend | Girlfriend | Family | Friend | Coworker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Example usage:
Mom: “What are you up to, honey?”
You: “Not much, just taking it easy. I appreciate you checking in though – how can I help you out?”
Browse news or social media
Mentioning browsing current events or staying virtually connected provides content without oversharing. “Oh, just catching up on some news online and scrolling through social media.”
Who it’s suitable for:
| Boyfriend | Girlfriend | Family | Friend | Coworker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Sample conversation:
Friend: “What are you up to this evening?”
You: “Nothing much, was thinking of browsing some news sites and seeing what my friends are up to online.”
Read an interesting article or book
Discussing a recent thought-provoking piece presents as intellectually engaged versus idle. “Actually reading this fascinating article about XYZ that I can’t put down!” Piques curiosity without revealing private status updates.
Who it’s suitable for:
| Boyfriend | Girlfriend | Family | Friend | Coworker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Sample conversation:
Friend: “Hey, got any plans for your day off?”
You: “Thinking of diving into this book I’ve been wanting to read – have you read it?”
Listen to new music or podcasts
Sharing a passion stimulates common ground while maintaining privacy. “Oh, I’ve got some new playlists and podcasts to check out actually.” Shows curiosity without delving into deeper activities.
Who it’s suitable for:
| Boyfriend | Girlfriend | Family | Friend | Coworker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Sample conversation:
Coworker: “What are your weekend plans?”
You: “Gonna catch up on some new music and podcast episodes I’ve downloaded actually.”
Watch an interesting show or movie
Discussing entertainment engages them without baring your soul. “Thinking of starting a new show I heard great things about actually. Have you seen it?” Leaves interaction upbeat.
Who it’s suitable for:
| Boyfriend | Girlfriend | Family | Friend | Coworker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Sample conversation:
Friend: “What are you doing tonight?”
You: “Was looking through some new shows to binge – any recommendations from what you’ve watched?”
Study, research or learn a new topic
Portraying self-development adds depth while safeguarding privacy. “Doing some research about an interesting new topic I’m curious to learn more about.” Projects intellect without pressure.
Who it’s suitable for:
| Boyfriend | Girlfriend | Family | Friend | Coworker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Sample conversation:
Coworker: “What are your plans for the weekend?”
You: “Might do some studying up on XYZ topic I’ve been interested in.”
Tend to minor chores or errands
Even mundane activities paint a snapshot without over-revealing. “Oh, just have to tackle some little tasks around the house/apartment. Nothing major!” Conveys accessibility noncommittally.
Who it’s suitable for:
| Boyfriend | Girlfriend | Family | Friend | Coworker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Sample conversation:
Mom: “Any plans this afternoon?”
You: “Was thinking of taking care of a few little errands since I have some free time.”
Briefly ponder upcoming options
Leaving plans open-ended invites further discussion positively. “Nothing locked in yet, still tossing around a few ideas of what to get into. What do you suggest?” Transitions focus reciprocally.
Who it’s suitable for:
| Boyfriend | Girlfriend | Family | Friend | Coworker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Sample conversation:
Friend: “What are you up to tonight?”
You: “I’m still pondering my options – got any recommendations for a fun way to spend the evening?”
Mention relaxing or free time
For recharging downtime, keep it light. “Oh, just enjoying a lazy day relaxing at home. Nothing major planned which will be nice!” Conveys leisure positively.
Who it’s suitable for:
| Boyfriend | Girlfriend | Family | Friend | Coworker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Sample conversation:
Mom: “What are your plans for the weekend?”
You: “Think I’ll take it easy and enjoy some free time. What about you – any fun plans?”
Conclusion
The key is keeping answers light, brief and focused on the present or near future using concrete yet casual language. With practice, soon replying to this common question will feel natural and support building quality connections. I hope these tips help you navigate daily conversations with more ease and confidence.
Let me know if you have any other questions!