In this BIT: Everyone experiences social mistakes! Here’s how to get over awkward moments, deal with embarrassment, and more friendship advice.
It happens to everyone. You tell a joke and nobody laughs. You don’t get the outfit memo. You forget someone’s name. You call someone the wrong name. Everyone experiences awkward moments! However, dealing with these moments doesn’t have to be awkward. Other people react to our reaction, so if we can keep our cool and handle these embarrassing situations comfortably and confidently, others will perceive us in the same light. Below, we explore the top ways to deal with embarrassment, and get over awkward situations.
If you catch yourself making an awkward social mistake – like calling someone the wrong name, forgetting to bring a gift, or wearing casual clothes to a formal event – laugh it off! Tell your friends and peers “I always forget everything!” or “My bad – I’m so forgetful.” By not shying away from your mistake, and instead laughing about it you make the situation more comfortable for everyone.
Nobody pays as much attention to us as we may think. If you make a mistake, you might ruminate about it for hours! However, other people are more concerned with avoiding their own mistakes, as well as thinking about other aspects of their life. Realize that your mistake is a far greater deal to you than others.
To help you focus on the bigger picture, use The 5 Rule after enduring an awkward moment. Ask yourself: will I still remember/think about this five days from now? Five weeks from now? Five months from now? Five years from now? Odds are, even if you may be really worked up about a situation in the present, five years in the future, you won’t even recall it. So, what is the point of wasting time and energy stressing over it now?
We hope that this friendship advice helps you get over your next awkward moment, bringing you a small bit of happiness.
For more happiness check out our Mood Boost page.
Featuring quick videos created for teens by teens.