If you have experienced awkward situations, you're definitely not alone. Thus, it's helpful to have strategies to help us deal with things as gracefully as possible. Here are my top tips for overcoming awkwardness.
Doing or saying something awkward or embarrassing can make us feel like the entire world has noticed. This is caused by a phenomenon called the Spotlight Effect, where we think people notice and remember more about our appearance and behavior than they do. Reminding yourself that "Nobody will remember this tomorrow" can help you react to an awkward moment more wisely.
Don't take all the blame. They're something that you create with other people. That's what makes them social. If you're feeling awkward or uncomfortable, it's easy to take all of the blame for that on yourself. Reminding yourself that you can't control everything in a social situation can make it easier for you to forgive yourself for awkward situations.
Try to see the funny side. This is one of the most powerful tools I've found for overcoming awkwardness. Finding the humor in the situation lets me feel better and helps the people around me feel more comfortable. Laughing, even at yourself, when someone's been hurt or upset can come across as mean.
Accept the risk of awkwardness. Learning something new almost always comes with the risk of getting it wrong. This means that if you want to improve your social skills, you will probably have to deal with some awkwardness. Rather than trying to avoid all awkward situations, try to see them as part of how you learn. In fact, being awkward can make you more likable.
A. Be kind to your past self.
B. But be careful about how you use it.
C. This is part of becoming socially skilled.
D. It's not possible to avoid them completely.
E. Remember that others don't pay much attention to you.
F. This can be a real struggle when you're feeling awkward.
G. Social situations are almost always a shared responsibility.
