stop talking about people

It’s mean, unproductive, and I feel bad afterward.

I hate to admit this, because it makes me feel like a terrible, horrible person. But it’s a flaw I have and I really do want to work on it – I talk about people behind their backs.
I don’t talk about people like…saying I hate them or saying they’re ugly or stupid. But if someone is really mean or irritating or something and I hear someone else talking about the same issues then I talk right along.
I have this problem at work A LOT. Sometimes I just have an issue with someone and when I find out other people do too I just can’t help but BURST OUT and start to about about it with them! Which I think is acceptable – to a point. But I know I’m starting to go past that point. I recognize it and I need to stop. I’m even talking about two certain people EVERY DAY NOW with someone. And even those these two people are unkind and annoying and poor at their jobs (I’m doing it again!), I shouldn’t be CONSTANTLY complaining behind their backs but still smiling to their faces. It’s not right. It’s unfair to them and it’s an unattractive trait on me. That’s not the kind of person I want to be, you know?
Tomorrow I’m going to challenge myself: Get through a day of work without talking poorly about anyone, no matter HOW MUCH they irritate me.
I hope to eventually get to a point where if someone annoys me I either SHUT UP AND TAKE IT or TALK TO THEIR FACE ABOUT IT. Because constantly complaining behind their backs does nothing but probably ruin my reputation as a good person.

I feel stupid putting myself up as a cautionary tale for something that sounds really laudable and good, but if you do this, be really careful. Not gossiping or blowing off emotional steam about people AT ALL, even if you take extra care to show people that you’re still cool with them doing it, will make you crazy, almost literally. If you can’t let yourself blame anybody else for anything, even a little, you wind up blaming yourself, or, worse, blaming the whole world. Loosen up, for your own sake. People can take a little attention paid to them behind their backs, even if it’s negative attention. I’m not advocating being mean, just saying: moderation, even in being nice.

cant do it, certain people continue to piss me off with their “i know everything” attitude. until they change, i cannot!

the true test…
while drunk with lots of friends over i managed to stop myself from contributing to shit talking all night by saying outloud to the group “it is killing me not to add my two cents but i promised myself that i wouldnt talk about others anymore”

havent said a harsh thing about anyone today.

Why does everyone around me keep talking about people they know I don’t get along with? I never bring it up on my own. It’s like when people are around me, they just can’t resist. One person in particular. I even tried to defend her sometimes, but I’ve kinda given up on that because she doesn’t seem to have any excuses left. Does not initiating the trash talking count? Or do I have to find a way to change the subject?