7 Red Flags That You’re Overdoing Gossip
There’s a thin line between chatting about a friend who just scored a big job and spilling personal tales that could tarnish someone’s reputation. Psychologist Carrie Krawiec points out that discussing others can be beneficial, helping us process information, communicate, and grow personally. However, research indicates that habitual gossips are more prone to anxiety. Here are seven signs that you might be gossiping too much:
People Label You as a Drama Lover
If you’re frequently engaged in gossip, you might notice that your friends start to view you negatively. Gossips often thrive on drama, regardless of the harm it may cause. Remember, today you might be talking about someone, and tomorrow, you could be the subject of someone else’s gossip.
You’re Eager to Spread the Latest News
If you find yourself itching to share a secret as soon as you hear it, you might be gossiping excessively. Gossips often don’t value the secrets entrusted to them and instead want to pass the information along. This might give a temporary sense of belonging, but remember, such success is short-lived.
People Stop Sharing Secrets with You
If you often share details about others’ lives, your friends might stop trusting you and become more cautious about what they say around you. If your friends haven’t shared any secrets with you lately, you might have gained a reputation as a gossip.
You Struggle to Find Other Topics
People who are used to talking about others might find that they lack more interesting topics to discuss. Instead of discussing acquaintances, try exploring other subjects like books, movies, or current events. As Henry Thomas Buckle once said, Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.
You Feel Better When Sharing Information
People gossip for various reasons: distraction from their own problems, a desire to be the center of attention, or the perceived benefit they bring to their listeners. However, the euphoria is temporary, and gossips often start to feel bad afterward. It’s essential to have other means of emotional fulfillment.
People Bring You Juicy Details
While opponents of gossip might avoid conversations with you, others know that you’ll appreciate certain information. If most of your friends and colleagues come to you with news, it might mean that you’re too involved in discussing others. This can be beneficial if you’re a society columnist, but otherwise, it might be a sign to reevaluate your habits.
People Talk About You
If you’re known as someone who constantly gossips, others will inevitably discuss this habit. They might start gossiping about your gossiping! If you’re lucky, you might get a dose of good attention and break this harmful habit. If not, you might never shake off this reputation. When you hear others discussing someone you know, try to stop the conversation instead of joining in. Say that you’re not interested or that you don’t want to make judgments about someone’s behavior without knowing the details. Think about whether you can gain something truly useful from the gossip.
For further reading, check out this article on the problem with gossip.
