8 Days to Christmas: It is Okay for Others to Talk about Themselves - Become an Observer

All of us want to know that we are heard and seen, and with that, we know that we are valued. The people we pass in the mall, we know nothing about, and we do not really think about that.

This is your family. They want to share with you, and they want you to share with them. Allow it and do it.

Yes, discussions on topics will happen. Choose which ones you want to participate in and let go of the others. You are not a ragdoll; you can choose. It is important, however, to know which subjects you choose not to participate in and which you do. You do not have to show anger or disgust or disdain. You are perfectly within your rights to decline, to keep quiet, or to just listen.

Remember, it is all only information. It does not make them right and you wrong or the other way around. Whatever you are discussing, there might be a very large portion of the world that has absolutely no opinion about it. So it is only information. Let it go.