How to Handle Embarrassment

Immediately following an embarrassing moment, we can feel mortified, as if the moment's humiliation will forever be in the front of our minds. Embarrassment affects some of us more than others, but no one likes the feelings that come with an embarrassing moment. Learn how to handle embarrassment and move on.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Remember that everyone does something that leads to embarrassment from time to time. It's something we all go through, and we all get over.
2. Place your focus on others' embarrassing moments to deflect attention from yourself. You may even have a laugh thinking about some of the embarrassing moments you witnessed in life.
3. Admit what you've done, apologize if you offended or negatively affected someone else, and move on with what you're doing. Dwelling on the experience will only make you feel worse.
4. Laugh at yourself. In times of embarrassing moments, others can feel just as uncomfortable as you do. If you're able to laugh, others will laugh with you, minimizing the tension surrounding the event.
5. Make a mental note of what you did and think about how you can prevent it happening again. If it was a complete accident or fluke, you may have to take it with a grain of salt. If it was something you can control, for example, putting your foot in your mouth, think about what you can learn from the situation, and avoid it happening again in the future.
6. Live and learn. Chalk it up to another one of life's unpredictable experiences.