When someone says, "Busy as usual," you can reply in various ways, depending on the context and your relationship with the person. Here are some possible responses:
Acknowledge and relate: "I feel you! It's been a hectic time for me too."
Empathize: "I understand. It seems like we're always juggling so much these days."
Share your own busyness: "Tell me about it! I've been swamped with work and personal stuff lately."
Offer support: "If there's anything I can do to help lighten the load, just let me know."
Inject humor: "They say busy people get things done, so we must be super productive!"
Suggest a catch-up: "Despite our busy schedules, we should find time to grab a coffee and catch up soon."
Make plans: "Once things settle down, let's plan a get-together or outing to de-stress."
Remember to adapt your response based on your relationship with the person and the context of the conversation. If they are just making a passing comment, a light response might be appropriate. If they seem genuinely overwhelmed, offering support or understanding could be more helpful.