01 🧠🛑🌿Taming Your Inner “Drama Llama”
So, what is a “Drama Llama”? We all have one. The Drama Llama tends to appear when we are stressed, worried, or trying to problem-solve future scenarios. It thrives during moments of anxiety or any situation that leaves us feeling uncomfortable, distracted, and less capable than we know we could be.
Our brains—particularly the left hemisphere, which is our analytical, solution-focused side—are actually designed to keep us safe. Believe it or not, every time we experience stress or worry, the brain interprets it as a signal that we aren’t as safe as we could be. Consequently, it does its utmost to find a solution, control the situation, and “fix” things.
This often leads us into the future with a barrage of “what-ifs.” What if this happens? What if that happens? That is where the Drama Llama comes in. Despite the discomfort those thoughts bring, the Drama Llama is simply trying to keep us safe by sticking to familiar patterns of problem-solving.
If you tend toward depressive symptoms, the Drama Llama might suggest staying in bed, ordering takeout, and avoiding the world to remain “safe.” If you have an anxious mind, it will pull you into the future, obsessing over control. It seeks answers to feel secure, which is fine—that is what the left brain is designed to do. It helps us navigate our daily routines, from deciding what to have for breakfast to managing our schedule.
However, when we face stress or life problems that don’t have immediate solutions, the problem-solving brain can start to work overtime because it dislikes uncertainty. It views a lack of a quick solution as a threat to our safety. The Drama Llama then steps in, encouraging us to worry, avoid, or withdraw. These voices can dominate our lives, pulling us away from the present moment to dwell on past regrets or future fears. It limits our ability to take healthy risks that could actually benefit us.
The Drama Llama detracts from the quality of life we could be experiencing right now. The good news? There are ways to tame it.
It’s okay to acknowledge the Drama Llama and say, “I see you. You’ve served me well in the past, but you aren’t serving me as well anymore.” We can choose different strategies, specifically by becoming more present. When we are present, we can separate ourselves from the Drama Llama’s noise.
Instead of getting caught up in the “what-ifs,” we can practice observing those thoughts with a clearer, calmer mind. We can ask ourselves, “Have I done as much as I can regarding this issue? Could my energy be better spent in the present moment focusing on my well-being?”
One effective strategy to help with this is ACE:
A – Awareness: I notice I am having that thought.
C – Connecting: Connect with your body by wiggling your toes and taking a few slow, deep breaths. This helps you return to your physical self.
E – Engaging: Engage with the world around you. Look around, notice the weather, or observe your surroundings to ground yourself in the “here and now.”
Using ACE helps us shift from a place of reactivity to a place of choice, allowing us to decide on the best course of action.
If you would like to know more, feel free to visit my website at marklockyer.com. You can also download my free e-book, Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life.
Stay present, and keep an eye on your Drama Llama!