If you want to experience drama at its best, then adopt a couple of pre-teen girls for the afternoon. I recently had such an experience with my daughter and a couple of her friends.
From the moment they got into the car, I began to hear things like:
“Everybody flunked the test.”
“He said he liked me and it was the best day of my whole entire life.”
“OMG…that was so embarrassing mom. Please don’t wave at the high school kids.”
“I will never, ever understand math.”
“You NEVER take me shopping.”
“I don’t have anything to wear.”
The drama continued for the duration of the car ride.
It reminded me of the drama queen in all of us (especially women who struggle with emotional eating and body image issues).
The grown up drama queen says things like:
“I have fallen off the wagon.”
“I’ll never, ever be thin.”
“Everybody can eat what they want but me.”
“I am such a failure.”
“OMG…did you see me trying to run? That was so humiliating.”
Over the years of being a woman and experiencing womanhood, I have come to realize that we all have a drama queen that lives within us. It only becomes a problem when she is running the show.
So, here are a few tips for living at peace with your inner drama diva:
1. Look at the drama, instead of from the drama
When you find yourself being swept up into a dramatic moment, simply Dramacool notice what’s going on. Observe how the emotions build, and then notice how you are tempted to act. Can you see how drama adds a complexity to the situation?
2. State the Facts
Drama is judgment of the facts. Instead of saying, “I made a 74 on the math test,” a drama queen says, “I am such a failure. I will never, ever learn math.” Or, instead of saying “I ate a bag of Oreos,” she will say, “I have fallen off the wagon, and I’ll never, ever be thin.” Try stating just the facts of the situation, without judgment or negativity.
3. Prove your drama queen wrong
The inner dramatic loves to sensationalize things, but why not challenge her a little with proof. For example, when she claims that you will never, ever be thin, find evidence to prove her wrong. Find others who have done what you are trying to do or find reasons why you can be thin.
4. Give her the stage
Your drama queen just wants to be heard and seen. Give the poor thing 5 or 10 minutes a day to do her thing. I like to schedule in drama time when I can complain, exaggerate, cry, or simply just step out of my beautiful life for a few moments to get completely caught up in drama, but then I return and close the curtain.
5. Take her to the movies
We all crave a little excitement in our lives. The problem occurs when we use our lives as the stage for unhealthy drama to unfold. To entertain that part of you who craves a big production, try taking her to see a good show or read a good, trashy novel. You can walk away feeling satisfied without completing mucking up your life.
