emotional gymnastics

These are a series of skilled movements involving all sorts of feelings and thinking in order to get oneself successfully through a negative situation with another person. It's tough and you have to be quick, strong, and flexible at all times to win this competition.

Sharon: "Did you hear about Ashlynn?"
Lisa: "I loathe that bitch. She tried messing with me last month and demonstrated that I can do emotional gymnastics at a gold medal level! She started crying and hyperventilating. I was in top form!"
Sharon: "She's dead."
Lisa: "Hmmm. Are we going to Chick Fil' A or what? I'm starving over here."