Have you ever noticed that some people have tons of drama in their lives?
Financial, social, familial, or whatever, there is aways something going on. And a day doesn't go by where some sort of trauma-drama isn't going on . . . and anyone around usually gets to hear about it. And I'm not talking teen drama, they're angsty enough on their own, I'm talking about my peers, women around my own age (45-55 years old).
Are you one of those people? Or are you the wallflower simply listening to the drama, wondering how it happens that your life is steady and boring? Or are you one of those people I call a catalyst, and stir up emotions just because you want to watch the fireworks?
In case you couldn't figure it out, I belong to the 'B' for boring group. Drama happens to other people, not me. I'm the person they used to come to crying their eyes out about something. Though it doesn't happen very often any more. I'd hazard a guess it's because I'm less tolerant than I used to be in my younger days. Provide a little 'tough love' and the drama queens run and hide. They want someone to listen to their woes, agree that they were in the right and the other person is a scumbag. They don't want you to tell them to get a grip and put their big girl panties on, and face their problems with their chins up.
As a writer what do you do when drama happens around you? Do you sit back and listen, gathering tidbits for some story? Or do you slink away, hating any type of confrontation? Or do you wonder why other people are drama queens and you just cruise along MYOB?
Just curious, though not terminally curious like my writer friend Susan. Chime in.
Write on!
My SIL used to call me often, complaining for an hour or more about my brother. Finally I told her to divorce him. She said "But I love him." (Imagine that with a whine in her voice.) She stopped calling me after that.
ReplyDeleteToo funny, Edie! Love your dose of reality!
ReplyDeleteI don't like drama. I lived with it for too many years. I'd say for the most part I'm sorta boring. Although, I think I fall in the middle because things happen to me. I don't know why. *gah*
ReplyDeleteBut I don't like to angst over them unless it's really bothering me. Then I vent and deal.
I have some family who always have a catastrophe. Compared to them, I am boring. hehe. I'd rather be boring any day than deal with what they deal with.
I don't like listening to it from a person who all they do is dramatize everything and never do anything about it. Eventually, I'll do what Edie said...do something about it!!
It's funny, but when I call Mom to catch up I hear about some parts of the family more than other--you guessed it--the ones with drama are the ones whose life gets talked about. We're too normal. :-)
ReplyDeleteI made it a POINT to cut the drama queens out of my life over the past few years. They were having a toxic effect. I'm not talking about the good friend who has an occasional true need for a sympathetic ear. I'm talking about the people that ALWAYS have drama swirling around them and seem to try to attract and perpetuate it - and actually seem to thrive on it.
ReplyDeleteMy emotional life is much healthier now.
PS - and have you noticed the drama queens are quick to bend YOUR ear, but never bother to ask you how YOU are doing in return? That's the part I really couldn't deal with - friendship is a TWO way street.
ReplyDeleteAh, Jody, you hit the nail on the head. Some people attract the drama, but my question is what do they do to attract it? Is it they way they were raised or the people they associate with? I just don't get it.
ReplyDeleteGlad you cut the toxicness from your life. Your mental health is more important than theirs. :-)
I think you attract what you put out. Some people project an aura of grief, or helplessness, or what I call 'poor me' syndrome....I don't know that they realize they project this aura, but they do, and I think that's what attracts the drama.
ReplyDeleteJust a theory.
I experienced a huge dose of it from the resident drama queen at our barn tonight. Sigh.
Aw, poor Jody, :-( Let me guess, you were the 'bad' guy?
ReplyDeleteNo, I wasn't involved AT ALL. I was just unfortunate enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and have to listen to it all......
ReplyDeleteMagolla,
ReplyDeleteYou know what they say. Curiousity killed the cat. You may be terminally curious and just not know it. ;)<-That's a wink.
Ah, but I could never compete with you, Miz Suse! I will always remember the time at Olive Garden when you went to the ladies room and came back with the life story of the lady in the next stall.
ReplyDeleteI am so not worthy!
--I have got to figure out how to make smilies work on my blog. . .