The term drama is of Greek origin and literally means "action," "to act" or "to do." When the word is brought up in conversation, you might think of the two masks associated with theatre and drama performance. You might think of the notorious Regina George from "Mean Girls" who continuously talks behind her friend's backs, or you might think of that one person you knew in high school who always seemed to know the latest gossip, whether it was true or not. Regardless of what comes to your mind personally when you hear the word, there is a certain air of inevitable notoriety that comes with it. You don't compliment somebody by branding them as a drama queen. And yet, here I am, proclaiming why I am one and always will be, unashamedly.

Before I say anything further, however, I'd like to out those in this world who refuse to just accept their humanity. We all have at least one of these friends, or maybe you're the one who says the phrase that always comes out as something along the lines of:

"I hate drama,"

"I don't do drama," or,

"I don't cause drama and I don't hang out with people who do."

I myself am very guilty of continuously uttering this cliché, overused statement throughout my teenage years. Maybe it's just me, (or, you know, maybe not) but I would almost automatically blurt it out upon the slightest sign of conflict or gossip, often to reassure my good standing with friends who also proclaimed themselves to be "drama free." And, to be fair, I hadn't ever really experienced what I understood to be "true drama" until college, very ironically. I thought I'd survived the four toughest years I'd yet to face, unscathed by rumors, falling outs with friends and any major heartbreaks or betrayals.

And then I made it through the craziest, happiest, saddest, most wonderful whirlwind of a sophomore year in college than I could've ever imagined. And taking into account all of the heartbreak, gossip, falling apart of friend groups, rebuilding of both new and old ones and figuring out what I really want to do with my life, I would not change one single thing about how all of this "drama" has impacted me.

I have been broken down and I have built myself back up, time and again. I've lost a couple friendships that I truly believed would stand the test of time, and it hurt really, really bad when I came to the realization that I could do nothing about any of it. I learned really painfully that the mean, "popular" people that are so often included in stereotypical rom-coms and coming-of-age flicks really do exist. I've learned, after so many years of denying it, that trying to be the person that everyone likes is not for me. While I absolutely would never go out of my way to hurt somebody, I've accepted the fact that people with big personalities who speak their mind will be the first targets of insecure individuals, and I will be my own greatest defense.

However, it seems quite apparent that, regardless of one's own admission of this fact, we all inherently talk, or gossip, or sh*t talk from time to time no matter what you call it. Drama is an inevitable part of anything memorable or worth reaching in the short time we have on this earth. Miscommunication, arguments, conflicts, and resolutions are all vital things that we must and will inevitably experience in indefinite amounts throughout life. These experiences are what cause maturation. These experiences shape us as individuals and a world without friction wouldn't be real. Emotions are raw, ever-evolving variables in the human psyche, and to say you "don't do drama" is to say you aren't human.

Again, the term drama literally means "action," "to act," "to take action" or "to do."

So, yes, I suppose I am a drama queen, and I certainly hope that you are brave enough to be one too.

"One does not become fully human painlessly." - Rollo May