The Performance of the Victim

 It’s hard to watch people turn their pain into a performance. You see it sometimes — the exaggerated stories, the “poor me” routine, the endless need for attention and sympathy. It’s not that struggle isn’t real; we all have our low points. But there’s a difference between being honest about pain and using it as a tool to manipulate how others see you.

What’s frustrating is the façade — the polished surface that hides a very different reality. Some people talk about how broken they are while simultaneously living without a trace of accountability. They seek validation instead of growth, pity instead of truth. It’s not about healing; it’s about control — about shaping a narrative that keeps them in the spotlight.

The more I see it, the more I realize how much energy that kind of behavior drains from everyone around it. You start to recognize the patterns: the drama, the half-truths, the constant search for someone to take sides. It’s a cycle that thrives on attention, not authenticity.

But peace comes from stepping away from it. From no longer feeling the need to prove your side or expose the lie. The truth has a quiet way of standing on its own. Eventually, façades fade, and reality speaks louder than any story ever could.

Let them have their stage. You don’t have to play a part in the show.