“Don’t Feed the Frenzy.”

We’ve all been there—whether as the one being targeted or standing on the sidelines, watching the rumors swirl. Sometimes we get swept up in it, maybe even glad it’s not us on the receiving end. But the truth is, when we feed into it, we’re not just adding to the chaos, we’re feeding something bigger—something darker.

The mantra I come back to is simple: “Don’t Feed the Frenzy.”

Picture it like this: the frenzy is a school of fish, darting around in a panicked mess. Each rumor, each piece of gossip, each hurtful comment is another fish, whipping the waters into chaos. But what we don’t always see right away is the shark lurking beneath the surface—the shark that’s waiting for us to feed it. The shark represents the real damage—the hurt, the negativity, the emotional toll that all this gossip and judgment creates.

When we spread rumors, when we pile on to hurt someone, we’re feeding the frenzy. And every time we participate, the frenzy grows. The shark gets stronger, more powerful. It becomes the looming force of negativity, tearing through people’s lives.

And we have a choice in that moment: we can either feed the shark, or we can starve it.

It’s easy to get pulled in, to feel the pressure to participate, or to think, “Well, at least it’s not me.” But every word we say, every time we join in the gossip, we’re adding to that frenzy. We’re giving the shark exactly what it needs—more fuel to cause hurt, more power to stir things up.

But what if we didn’t feed it? What if we made the choice to swim away? To stop feeding the rumors, the gossip, the negativity?

When we don’t feed the frenzy, we’re taking away the shark’s power. We’re refusing to let it grow. We’re choosing peace, kindness, and compassion over chaos and hurt. It’s about recognizing when things are turning toxic and having the strength to say, “Not this time.” It’s about protecting our own peace, our own integrity, and not allowing ourselves to become part of something that only leads to more pain.

The next time you see the frenzy happening—when the rumors start to fly, when the gossip starts to grow—remember that you have the power to stop feeding the shark. You don’t have to join in. You can walk away. You can protect your peace, and in doing so, protect others from the harm that comes when we let the frenzy take over.

“Don’t Feed the Frenzy.” It’s a simple reminder, but it holds real power. The more we choose not to engage, the more we choose kindness and empathy, the weaker the shark becomes. And when we stop feeding it, we’ll find ourselves in clearer, calmer waters—where peace, compassion, and true connection live.

Check out my Don’t Feed the Frenzy shirts here!