How to Deal with a Pot-Stirrer Who Loves to Stir Up Drama

What do you call someone who stirs the pot? A pot-stirrer, of course. A pot-stirrer is someone who creates drama and tension for their amusement. For these people, stirring up drama is a pastime they can’t resist. They absolutely love to stir the pot and find any excuse to participate in such behavior.

Why are they called pot-stirrers? Because they throw their negativity, anger, and hatred at others like someone would throw ingredients and spices into a pot. These people boil with rage and animosity, like water in an old saucepan.

Why do some people like to stir up drama by stirring the pot? Many pot-stirrers are insecure, bored, or fearful. They use their words to lash at others when they feel less intelligent, beautiful, or well-liked. Some people constantly stir the pot and thrive on the drama they stir up.

I’m Not One to Stir Up Drama

I’m pretty level-headed. It takes quite a bit to stir me up, and I rarely hold a grudge. You have to commit multiple acts against me before I even start to make mental notes of the wrongs you’ve caused.

I don’t cause a lot of drama because I’m risk and drama averse. Ask my friends or family, and they’ll tell you I’m about as calm and stable as they come.

I’ve been dating (now married to) the same guy for fifteen years. I’ve lived in the same house for eleven and worked at the same company for twelve.

If you like to live with a lot of drama in your life, then the odds are that you and I aren’t friends. Some may say that makes me dull, but I’ll rightly accept that title.

People Who Stir Up Drama

Unfortunately, some extended family members love to stir up drama. I find the same people are always causing issues in my life, and I’m beyond the point of being sick and tired of it.

Some people seem to find joy in the act of pot-stirring. They love to create drama that negatively impacts the people around them. Unfortunately, their actions aren’t one-time events but repeated assaults.

I can’t go into specific issues, but I can say that the drama revolves around one person, and most of the drama involves imaginary issues in that person’s mind. 

When confronted with their behavior, this person lies to further their cause. When that doesn’t work, they pull out the victim card.

Stirring Up Drama

Unfortunately, this person’s toxic attitude is poisoning my relationship with other family members. 

I recognize that mentally healthy individuals do not stir the pot, and I would prefer to write this person out of my life.

Unfortunately, I cannot completely ignore this pot-stirrer due to other people in my life. In this case, it isn’t possible to walk away and never look back.

Since she denies her actions, pointing them out won’t stop her from creating drama, and I honestly believe it encourages her to misbehave more often.

How to Deal With a Pot Stirrer

How do you deal with a stirrer who likes to cause trouble? How do you manage a relationship with someone who feels pleasure from inciting arguments? Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks.

1. Control Your Reactions

First, I’ve learned to control my reactions to the pot stirrers’ outbursts. I do my best to appear calm no matter how bothered or upset I am. I realize that this person thrives on making me upset, so I try not to react in a visible or auditory way.

She wants to stir up drama, so I’m careful not to show my true emotions. Deep in my heart, I believe she feels emotionally high when I get angry, so I bite my tongue and keep my words held tightly inside.

2. Practice Blank Facial Expressions

I meditate and practice blank expressions whenever I know we’ll see each other face to face. Sometimes, when I refrain from reacting, the drama stops, and there is no need to continue poking if I don’t appear upset.

3. Avoid Sharing Personal Information

Over time I’ve learned to avoid telling this person anything personal. I share very little and change the topic of conversation as often as I can. 

4. Learn to Change the Subject

If I feel a flared moment rising, I redirect and diffuse the situation before an opportunity arises for this pot stirrer to stir the pot. Sometimes, I say, “I don’t want to talk about that.” Other times, I temporarily excuse myself to check on my children or go to the bathroom.

5. Focus on Positivity

When conversations turn negative, I try to flip towards positive topics. For example, if a pot-stirrer is going on and on about a coworker who can’t complete their assignments, you can say, “let’s talk about the good parts of working on this project together,” or “at least it’s Friday. What are your plans for the weekend?”

Pot-stirrers don’t like to converse with a Pollyanna who constantly points out the best things in life. If you act cheerful and excited, the pot-stirrer will change her tone or avoid your presence.

Either way is a win for you!

6. Never Be Alone with the Stirrer

I also try not to be alone with pot-stirrers because they gossip or use words against me in later conversations. So I make sure I am always with at least one other person when they are in the room.

7. Stop the Gossip

Pot-stirrers can’t stir the pot unless someone is around for them to agitate. They aim to draw others in by gossiping and telling stories about those they dislike. Don’t stand around listening to their stories, and don’t provide them with a platform to dispel their hate.

Ask others to avoid the gossip too. If your sister-in-law says mean things about you, ask your husband or children to stay away from her. If your coworker likes to engage in pot-stirring, ask your other coworkers to keep out of the break room.

8. End Your Relationship With People Who Stir the Pot

If your pot-stirrer is a coworker or close family member, you may be stuck dealing with them, but if a friend, neighbor, or distant relative is stirring up drama, it’s time to cut them out of your life.

Unfortunately, pot-stirrers don’t change their behavior. So it’s best to remove your connection to them as swiftly as possible.

Suggestions for Dealing with a Pot Stirrer

Despite my best efforts, the pot-stirrer in my life keeps creating drama, so I’d love to hear additional suggestions. I’m willing to take advice from anyone forced to deal with a pot stirrer.

If you’ve ever faced something similar, please leave a comment below. If nothing else, misery loves company 🙂

25 thoughts on “How to Deal with a Pot-Stirrer Who Loves to Stir Up Drama”

  1. I find if you communicate openly and deal with things as they come with humility, intelligence, honesty, kindness, patience and integrity, there is a better chance that what ever someone else brings to the table, you will not be caught off guard or disappointed by the outcome. In fact, you will have few enemies, if any, and controversy will naturally be deflected. No one is perfect but you can choose your own behaviours in every situation and those behaviors will dictate how others respond to you. Remember: You can NOT control other people’s behaviour so choose yours wisely.

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  2. I am a 65 year old female with multiple health issues. My neighbor is in her 50s, and constantly does ridiculous antics. From noisy interval music , to parking her car where public transportation does and the workers, and my friends. I am fed up.

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  3. The suggestions you listed for dealing with a pot stirrer are very wise. Esp. to not be alone with the person or give them any personal information (this is key). I found your blog by searching the meaning of “stirring the pot” after I saw my spry 80 yr old neighbor across the street making the exaggerated motions of stirring a pot in his driveway in response to his wife’s conversation with their son.
    I also have had a challenging relationship with my SIL (who is alone and never married) and it has been quite the run. She is a perfectionist and can be controlling, pointing out every little thing to you, calling and texting my husband (her brother) during our date nights, during dinner or home watching a movie etc etc. with questions and needing help with home repairs.
    What makes it hard is my spouse is obliging, never wanting to turn family away so he will take every phone call and answer every text. These are the trials of life and I find peace in my relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Praying for these people helps me to forgive them, seeing their weakness as an opportunity to help them in the secret place of the prayer closet.

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