We all have that friend -- the one who overplays every situation, is a roller coaster of emotions and actually seems to like drama. Well, I say we all have that friend, but in reality, we don't all have that friend because some of us are that friend. Over the course of my life, I have been that friend time after time. And let me tell you, we have heard all of the clichés. There's the one where we just want attention, and then there's the one that says we just want to cause problems. We can dish it, but we can never take it. If there is one thing a drama queen hates, it's being attacked. So, we turn the attacks into excuses: "I was tired/hungry; I have social anxiety; they pushed me too hard and I just tipped." It's an exhausting cycle, and before you know it, you don't know how to make any of it stop. There's nothing wrong with being lively and interested in our friends' lives, but not everything has a direct effect on us. So, we need to know how to stop the drama before it stops us. Here's how:
1. Read the news.
The world is so much bigger than our personal struggles. The more you know about ISIS attacks and Syrian refugees, the more compassion you will feel for those you have never met. Typically, the more educated we are, the less self-centered we need to be. Once you are interested in an issue, you become all the more likely to spend time pursuing that issue. That pursuance proves to be a distraction from the trivial matters of day-to-day life, and before you know it, you are a continent away without having traveled at all. Taking the time to become educated on both sides of an issue can also help you to prevent embarrassment and keep calm in the debates of the future.
2. Spend some time alone.
Alone time is the best way to get to know yourself. When you spend time with just you, you'll start to understand why you react to situations the way you do. Take time to be critical of your own feelings, and ask yourself if it makes sense for you to feel the way you often do in the company of your friends. If you feel the same way alone as you do in a crowd, then chances are, your emotions are legitimate. However, if you start to realize that you think and behave way differently in a group, then you may just be acting out for attention. The best way to prevent being a drama queen is to understand why you feel the need to be one in the first place.
3. Don't spend too much time alone.
Spending too much time alone just makes your emotions bottle up, which is a nightmare for both the drama queen and everyone around the drama queen. A great way to prevent spending too much time alone or with friends is to work or volunteer. The general public is too busy to care about your problems, but they will still say encouraging things like, "Thanks, have a good day!" Most drama queens are extremely social people and just a small interaction like this can make all the difference in their mood. Volunteering at homeless shelters, public libraries and retirement homes are a few other wonderful options. There, you can really make personal connections that are based more on common ground, real issues and memories, than on drama.
4. Breathe.
It's so easy to forget about this one. If you are anything like me, you want to get all excited. You like the feel of your heart racing when you have the attention of the room. But when you are in that state, you are just one wrong word, one slip away from embarrassing yourself. When you feel yourself starting to get out of control, then you should probably excuse yourself, go outside and count to ten. A friend once told me, "You can't make a big scene when you do that, though." It's best to wait to slip away when everyone else is distracted.
5. Pray.
This one is so close to my heart. He cares. Whatever it is. Whatever you have done. He wants to hear about it. There are a thousand reasons why even drama queens who are Christians don't want to tell God about what's going on. Some people feel like they are bothering God with the little things. Other people would much rather gossip to their friends about it first, and tell God about it later. See, drama queens are like everyone else, we're just looking for love. Although, sometimes our attempts come out a little misguided. Sister or brother who over-reacts, God wants to hear all about it. 1 Peter 5:7 says, "cast all your anxieties on Him because he cares for you."
It's going to be just fine.
