You can probably ask every single one of your friends what their most embarrassing moment is and they’ll most likely think of it in under five seconds. While that awkward feeling is something no one ever wants to experience, there are ways to help move past an embarrassing moment. Here are some ways on how to get over an embarrassing moment:
1. Confront the moment
The most important thing you want to do when dealing with an embarrassing situation is to directly address it the exact moment when it happens. While running away in another direction as fast as you can may sound like a better idea, this may actually making the situation way worse. According to studies, using humor is a great way to alleviate any type of social stress you might be feeling from an awkward moment. Laugh it off, make a joke, or do a funny gesture; as long as you’re showing that you’re nonchalant about the whole thing, the people around you may feel less awkward, too.
2. Apologize, but not too much
I feel like there are two types of people in the world when it comes to being embarrassed: A person who overly apologizes and a person who DGAF. If you’re anything like me, you’re the type of person who apologizes until their last dying breath. But excessively saying sorry can become exasperating very quickly.
3. Focus on the context of the memory
Have you ever had an embarrassing situation happen to you and you couldn’t stop obsessing over it? “Why did I do that? I want to runaway.” may be a few thoughts you have as you replay the awkward event over and over again — but you shouldn’t focus on the negative. According to studies, when you only concentrate on what went wrong, you’re actually heightening those unwanted emotions. Rather than focusing on the bad, pay attention to the context of the memory. This may allow you to relive the event without suppressing it and steer your attention to other aspects of the situation.
4. Talk it out with someone
Sometimes you can’t get out of your head and just need to talk to someone. According to studies, keeping an embarrassing moment to yourself can actually increase insecure emotions, or worse, may even lead to feelings of shame. Ask a close friend if you can talk to them. By discussing the details of your awkward situation, you may feel better because you’re confiding in someone you trust while you’re airing out your dirty laundry. Plus, you never know, your friend might give you a new perspective to the situation and help you see a positive twist to a negative moment.
5. Allow yourself to be imperfect
Instead of beating yourself up over and over again, take a moment to laugh it off and learn to accept your imperfections. According to studies, being embarrassed essentially comes from not living up to your own standards. If you’re too hard on yourself, you may never learn how to have fun and let go. Give yourself some room to breathe. Everyone gets embarrassed; what really matters is how you choose to deal with those awkward moments.
6. Stop worrying about what others think of you
In reality, most people don’t notice half the things we worry about. Instead of stressing over what other people think, embrace the embarrassing moment by laughing it off and forgetting about it.
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