Is anyone ever completely removed from drama? I don’t think it’s possible to avoid it all together, after all, conflict is part of human nature. But there is a difference in the lives of those who nurture drama and those who avoid it. We’ve all met people who thrive in the middle of drama and we’ve all met people who tremble when they see it, there is a way to avoid drama while not being afraid of confrontation and there is a way to know dramatic people without being involved in their drama.

It’s a balancing act, but it’s possible to live a relatively drama free life, I’m going to highlight some of the easiest ways to live a life were you’re not the lead cast in the center of a drama.

Avidly avoid social media conflicts and comment section debates: It’s okay to occasionally make a comment on topic that mean the most to you. Whether it be one of politics or health. What’s counter productive is to say it in a demeaning way and then argue in the comments. Actually avoiding arguments in comments can save you a lot of time. Most conflicts on social media aren’t worthy of your time, because most people on social media aren’t willing to change their mind. It’s okay to keep scrolling and it’s okay to save the debates for a more willing setting.

If their talking about others like that, they’re probably talking about you like that: If you have a friend that is always ranting about someone, there is a big chance that they’re also ranting about you to someone else. It’s near impossible to find someone that doesn’t occasionally let off some bad words about someone, but when you’re hanging out with people who constantly go off about others it’s probably time to reevaluate that friendship. We don’t want our lives to be in their beloved drama reel, so it’s time to stop feeding them with our stories and gracefully step back from the situation. If you need the entertainment watch a reality show on TV, don’t become part of one.

Likewise, don’t talk about others behind their backs, especially to someone who knows them: It’s a simple rule, it’s tried and true, and honestly, it can be hard. Sometimes we feel like we’re about to burst if we can’t get our rant out of us, even if we’re not like the friend mentioned above. If you need to get something off your chest that bad, try telling it to one person and one person alone, someone you truly trust, and someone who is completely removed from that person. If there is any chance it will make it back to them it’s not worth it. If you think they need to hear it and you want it to get back to them, you should be telling it to them to their face, not going through the grape vine out of spite.

Be honest with people: Tell people when they’ve hurt your feelings or when they’re doing something that’s affecting you negatively. You don’t have to be rude about it, in fact it’s best to do it softly. You’ll normally get a good response, but if you don’t, it’s a sign that that person probably doesn’t care as much as you should. But own up to the situation if you triggering the chain of events that led to it and learn how to avoid doing it in the future.

Apologize: That’s it, the biggest point, and perhaps the simplest. When you mess up, when you hurt someone, say you’re sorry. Even if it was an accident, even if you think the person had it coming. If you want to avoid drama, avoid unnecessary anger. Learn to be sorry for your mistakes and sorry for hurting people. It’s not difficult, it doesn’t take a lot of time. So learn to give apologies out like candy. You’ll be surprised by the amount of drama owning your mistakes cuts down on.