I think Sept. hit on a VERY GOOD point.

I was going under...for years barely treading water for many reasons.

When I learned to ignore things as well as people that could maintain appropriate boundaries or didn't have my interest in their thoughts or actions, I did so much better. Yes, ignore can be good...for ourselves, and basically we have to be the ones to care most for ourselves.

It's the same with taking sides...sometimes it's not good. However, there are very important times in our lives that we have to take stands on issues, again...for ourselves and those we love care about.

Now if you're talking about taking sides in an argument...I only do that now in real life if it's directly affecting me and someone is acting out. Otherwise, I won't and if I look at what I just said, it's not really me taking a side, but there again, taking care of me.

Gossiping? No, I've never seen it not do more harm than good. Now, we can inform others of information they should know to be safe, but I think it should stop there.

I hope it feels better for you in real life hon.

KD