Pet Peeve: Drama

My pet peeve is drama. Not because I don’t like it, but because so many people talk about it.

What the hell is it? I’ve been asking people.

They can’t even answer.

“Ya know, drama.”

“When someone’s upset.”

“When someone is complaining.”

I’m sorry, but that doesn’t help me understand it. I still don’t know what it is. And then there are the comments:

“I’m in a no drama zone.”

“I can’t deal with her drama.”

And my really pet favorite: “She’s a drama queen.”

Why do I hate it so much? Because I’ve been called one. And I think it’s a bad thing. So when someone talks about drama, I take it personally.

Because for me, being upset is actually a freedom. Sharing what is really bothering me is a pathway to freedom. And having someone listen to me like what I am saying matters, is a true gift.

I’m pretty sure that the people who have drama meters stop listening when they “label” something as drama. And they start listening through the filter of “here she goes again. When will she be done?”

As a person who’s been on the other side, it’s brutal. I’m already upset, and now the person is treating me like an annoying person. And they aren’t listening to me. Could I feel any crazier?

And, just as an aside, guys who think all women are crazy? Well, take a look at yourself. I bet they didn’t start out that way. I have attracted my share of infuriating men. I didn’t start out crazy, but became that way as time went on. No other comment about that.

Except……..being with someone (my ex-husband for example) who couldn’t listen to me and just tuned me out was pretty horrible. I could never have a conversation with him about the stuff that wasn’t working. And it was really frustrating. Really frustrating……..enough about that tangent.

Here is my non-drama answer. Nothing is “Drama” until you label it as such. Some people just need to vent. If you have time, just listen. Really listen. They will be calm after. Don’t resist it.

If you can’t listen, just tell them you don’t have time right now and you are sorry. They can leave a message on your voicemail or call someone else which is way better than knowing you can’t wait for them to shut up.

Normally I don’t talk to you, I tell about myself. This one, as I said, is a pet peeve. Take it for what it’s worth.