Ask friends involved in drama if there is anything you can do to help. When talking to them, try to identify the problem and see if there is a larger issue going on. Talking is the only way to find out if someone is in an abusive relationship or is suffering from some other difficulties in their life. Explain that “talking it over” with a non-interested third party might help solve the problem. It might give them perspective. Don’t get directly involved, but rather, be the person who is happy to listen and offer feedback. [2] X Research source
Make sure everyone knows you are neutral and you have the friendship of the group as your main objective. Send messages to your friends over social media that encourage them to talk about their problems with each other. Set up a meeting where you invite people involved in the drama and then act to have them work out their problems. Send social media messages to the group explaining the different perspectives of everyone involved in the drama. Relay messages between friends who are not on speaking terms.
Root each other on, rather than being overly competitive. If we can view our friend’s successes as our own successes, we’ll have a more positive outlook and healthier friendships. Talk positive about everyone and give people compliments regularly. Regardless of what is happening, remind all of your friends of the good times they’ve had with each other and of everyone’s positive qualities. [4] X Trustworthy Source Michigan State University Extension Extension program of Michigan State University focused on community outreach, education, and engagement Go to source
Organize a group get together. Have everyone bring food and drinks. Use the opportunity to make peace. Propose everyone goes out to a movie together. If the county fair is in town, try to organize an outing to the fair. Propose going to a party or another gathering where you all can relax and hangout.
Work with your friends to preserve friendships and reduce drama in the group. Talk to your friends about how you can bring peace to the group. Remember, try not to create a schism or clique in your group if it is a social group you want to maintain. But rather, use your non drama-prone friends as an anchor in a sea of drama. [6] X Research source
Remember that even if you “win” a conversation or debate, you’ll lose because the person is likely to blow things out of proportion and cause you a major headache. If you notice the person trying to create conflict with you, politely excuse yourself from the situation. If you can’t because you’re in a classroom setting or at a party and you don’t want to be rude, try to change the subject or talk to someone else. Back down, unless you want a fight. Backing down if the drama-prone person has targeted you is the best way to avoid drama and to settle the conflict. It doesn’t even really matter if you’re wrong or right. Just try to end the conflict. If the nature of your relationship is turning you into someone who is a pushover with the drama-prone person, consider ending the friendship. [8] X Research source
If your drama-prone friend always gets riled up over relationship issues, don’t inquire. If your drama-prone person tends to over-react about situations they’ve had with strangers, don’t encourage it by mentioning anything. If your drama-prone person likes to target other friends in your social circle, don’t bring up those people. [10] X Research source
Ending conversations after 5-10 minutes once they’ve devolved into drama. Do so politely, Tell your friends that you’ve got to do something else. Avoid phone calls or other situations that you know will devolve into drama. If your friend is calling you, and you know it’s going to be about something negative, let the phone go to voicemail. Agree to socialize in places and at events where you know you can escape if the drama is too much. [12] X Research source
Plan outings with them that you know you can escape, like a festival where you’re meeting up and you know you can leave. Socialize with them only occasionally, like once or twice a month. Surround yourself with others so you don’t have to bear the brunt of the drama. Socializing with dramatic people at a party or somewhere else might be okay if you can excuse yourself to get a drink when the drama gets too intense.
Make sure you put a lot of thought into this before you do so. Think about making the choice to tell the person why you’re ending your relationship. However, this might result in more drama, so tread lightly. Slowly phase out of a friendship or relationship. If you’re going to cut someone out and want to avoid the drama of just disappearing, slowly phase out. Decline invitations here and there so it’s not a sudden or traumatic thing for your friend. [13] X Research source
Thinking coldly and rationally about the role of everyone in your social circle. Try to set yourself apart and view your social circle objectively. You might favor certain people, but they might be the problem. Is there one person who consistently cause problems? Are there a couple people who just don’t get along?[14] X Research source
Does someone take it upon themselves to become involved in conflict when they have no reason to be? Does someone see conflict where there probably isn’t any conflict? Does conflict seem to be normalcy for a particular individual? Does conflict arise when two or more individuals socialize?[15] X Research source
Your drama prone friend might just be insecure. Perhaps your drama prone friend is the victim of abuse. There could be romantic rivalry or something similar among people in your social circle. [16] X Research source
Real problems can include family issues, relationship problems, and interpersonal problems and are easily confused with drama if you don’t understand the person and the issue. If your friend reaches out for help about a new issue, wants to talk about it, or wants to merely vent, allow them the opportunity. Drama can often be distinguished from real problems because it is a reoccurring issue that your friend won’t give up, won’t resolve, and won’t take any positive steps to deal with. Real problems are those that your friend will, after some thought, try to resolve positively and through communication.
