Feeling Embarrassed Is the Worst—Here's How to Overcome It Quickly

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Tips for Next Time

Secondhand Embarrassment

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Tripped over our own feet? Yep. Waved at someone who was waving at someone else? Check. Dropped food all over ourselves at a party? Been there, done that. Had a giant piece of food stuck in our teeth all day? So. Many. Times. Sent an inappropriate text to the wrong person? Of course.

We’ve all done superembarrassing thingsthat have made us wish the ground would open up just and swallow us whole already. Ranging from hilariously funny to downright mortifying, embarrassment is literally the worst.

“Embarrassment feels so terrible because it strikes at the core of our social identity andself-esteem.The physical sensations associated with embarrassment, such as blushing or sweating, can further intensify the discomfort, creating a cycle of self-consciousness and heightened anxiety,”saysTatiana Rivera Cruz, MSW, LCSW, a therapist at ADHDAdvisor.

The physical sensations associated with embarrassment, such as blushing or sweating, can further intensify the discomfort, creating a cycle of self-consciousness and heightened anxiety.—TATIANA RIVERA CRUZ, MSW, LCSW

The physical sensations associated with embarrassment, such as blushing or sweating, can further intensify the discomfort, creating a cycle of self-consciousness and heightened anxiety.

—TATIANA RIVERA CRUZ, MSW, LCSW

But hey, it’s not the end of the world—even though it sometimes feels like it. Remember, there is not one adult on this planet who hasn’t seriously embarrassed themselves, saysAimee Daramus, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at Clarity Clinic, Chicago.

Fear not, we’ll share some quick tips to help you bounce back from those awkward moments.

At a GlanceFeeling a little red-faced after that epic fail? Yeah, we’ve all been there. But instead of replaying that cringey moment in your head forever, laugh it off, turn it into a funny story, and move on. Remember, it doesn’t matter in the big picture and everyone else has forgotten about it, so there’s no point beating yourself up about it. Find your inner confidence and keep going. You’ve got this champ!

At a Glance

Feeling a little red-faced after that epic fail? Yeah, we’ve all been there. But instead of replaying that cringey moment in your head forever, laugh it off, turn it into a funny story, and move on. Remember, it doesn’t matter in the big picture and everyone else has forgotten about it, so there’s no point beating yourself up about it. Find your inner confidence and keep going. You’ve got this champ!

When you do something silly, it’s best to let go of your embarrassment and move on. Otherwise, embarrassment can pretty much haunt you forever if you let it. Here are some strategies that can help you get past your embarrassment:

Remember, there is not one adult on this planet who hasn’t seriously embarrassed themselves.—AIMEE DARAMUS, PSYD

Remember, there is not one adult on this planet who hasn’t seriously embarrassed themselves.

—AIMEE DARAMUS, PSYD

How to Prepare Yourself for Next Time (And There Will Be a Next Time)

Here’s how you can prep yourself for the inevitable, the next time you do something embarrassing:

Why the Fear of Embarrassment Can Literally Kill You

How to Deal With Someone Else’s Embarrassment

Here’s how you can handle someone else’s embarrassment in a supportive way:

Tips for Dealing With Awkward Conversations

Takeaways

At the end of the day, we’re all just human beings trying not to trip over our own feet (literally and figuratively). So the next time you’re feeling a little embarrassed, take a deep breath,laughit off, and keep on keepin' on.

How to Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Hu KC, Tsai HL.Effects of embarrassment on self-serving bias and behavioral response in the context of service failure.Behav Sci (Basel). 2024 Feb 14;14(2):136. doi:10.3390/bs14020136

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