embarrassment isn’t a bad emotion per se. It’s a social regulator. It keeps relationships intact. It makes you aware of things you say and how you act. People who have no shame aren’t usually the most popular people within a social group. Actually, the inability to feel embarrassed is a feature of narcissism or neurodivergence. So the fact that you... See more

to be so scared of the potential for embarrassment of possibly looking stupid

Unsurprisingly, this fear lost me so much, and equally as unsurprising: nothing was gained.

Embarrassment is the antidote to the curated self

embarrassment feels catastrophic — life-ending even — because we’re constantly managing our image. We feel vulnerable and exposed.

Embarassment is pro-human, anti-perfectionism, and perhaps the way you can reclaim your humanity.

Perhaps you’re embarrassed when you appear too keen — very common (especially in the UK, where I’m from). But what is being too keen? Keenness is awesome! It’s excitement, it’s optimism, it’s energy — it’s knowing what you want and being in the active pursuit of it. Why would you care if people thought you were too much of this awesome emotion?

You... See more

Embarassment exposure therapy

When you experience embarrassment, view it as muscle building. You get stronger every time you use it. It’s uncomfortable, but you build resilience. Your life gets bigger when your willingness to look stupid expands.

Embarrassment is completely counterintuitive. You’re so afraid of being perceived that you try to curate yourself so highly that you’re fundamentally manipulating the perception people have of you. You pretend to be someone you’re not, and 9 times out of 10, that person is a less awesome version of you.