“Not my circus, not my monkeys” isn’t just a meme—it’s a survival strategy. Here’s a couple of examples.
*Your coworker’s third retelling of the office affair they swear is happening.
*The group chat erupted over who “started it” at Thanksgiving.
*Someone’s conspiracy theory.
*The friend who texts at 2 AM again about the same toxic ex again—but never takes advice.
Here’s the truth: You can care about people without adopting their chaos as your own.
Emotional drama isn’t just exhausting—it’s like a virus without an antidote. And every minute you spend emotionally babysitting someone else’s crisis is a minute stolen from your peace, your focus, or your actual life.
Try these steps the next time someone tries to drag you into their drama.
- “Wow, that sounds tough” → (Then change the subject.)
- Leave the group chat. (Silently. They’ll live.)
- “I’ve gotta be honest—I’m not the best person to help with this.”
Boundaries aren’t cruel. They’re how you stay sane in a world where chaos seems like an orchestra and you’re not sure where the conductor is hiding.
Remember: You’re responsible for the tune you’re playing, so don’t let anyone else tune your guitar.
