We all get embarrassed from time-to-time, nobody is perfect and we’re going to trip up here and there.It’s how you handle the embarrassment that counts. There are ways how to deal with embarrassment that can help you move on
It’s how you handle the embarrassment that counts. There are ways how to deal with embarrassment that can help you move on and not feel that red flush in your cheeks or stumble over your words.
It’s natural to react in certain ways that don’t help you and others move past it. Like apologizing over and over, showing how nervous you are, and reminding yourself what happened.
Check out some of the ways below I’ve helped myself, and others deal with embarrassing moments.
Stop Saying Sorry – Once Is Enough
It’s a normal reaction to keep apologizing when we’re embarrassed. Have you ever found yourself doing this? Strange isn’t it. There is no need to say sorry more than once though, it’s just showing how embarrassed you are.
Saying sorry just keeps you locked on that embarrassing moment that happened. You’re dwelling on it, and you are bringing the other people around back to the moment.
Learn to Laugh about It
If you’re faking it, it’s going to be obvious. You need to be able to laugh at embarrassing situations because you’re able to see the funny side and not hold yourself in such high self-esteem that you feel like a failure.
Easier said that done? Not really, if you think about it, why do you get embarrassed? Most likely because you do hold yourself up high and expect the best, which is fine, but laugh, learn, and move on and you’ll be a better person for it.
Move Forwards, Not Backwards
When something embarrassing happens it’s in the past. So the sooner you keep it in the past the sooner you can move forward and stop being embarrassed by it.
You will find that most people won’t want to dwell on something embarrassing. They will be aware how you feel and will want to move on (if they have feelings).
Forgive Yourself
You’re going to have to forgive yourself too for the embarrassing moment. It may have been your fault and you may feel really bad about it, but you need to know how to let go.
By truly forgiving yourself you’re accepting it was an accident and moving on. Everyone does this in different ways, find out what works for you and do it.
Learn from Your Mistakes
Learning from our mistakes is the key to growth. If you got a simple question wrong, said something silly, or forgot something that lead to you being embarrassed, think about what you can do to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
I know I’ve opened my mouth and spoke before thinking more than enough times to learn my lesson. I trained myself to think first, speak second now. That extra second of time makes the world of difference and can save a great deal of embarrassment.
Embrace Self-Improvement
One way to deal with embarrassment is to be embarrassed less often. As discussed above, it’s often going to be due to making some kind of mistakes. Learning from mistakes is one thing, continually growing and developing as a person is equally as important.
If you made a common mistake, fine, there isn’t a lot we can do as humans to avoid that. If you realized there is a gap in your knowledge, or you’re reacting a certain way to things that you want to change, you can work on that.
Recognise That Being Embarrased Isn’t Always a Bad Thing
Seeing someone blush and show emotion is actually seen as a sign that they are being honest to some people. It shows that you’re aware of what has just happened and you’re displaying your emotions.
How do you feel about someone when they do something that should be embarrassing, yet they don’t even seem to notice? It’s little help while you’re flushing up and slapping your forehead at what’s just happened, but something to consider.

Phil lives in England, UK, and has around 20 years experience as a professional life, career and executive coach. He started this blog to help others find and define their own self development journey. Blogging about a wide range of topics to help facilitate a better future.
I truly think that laughter is indeed the best medicine. I’ve slowly been learning that laughing at myself is often the best way to deal with mistakes. It is important to learn from those moments, but also learn not to take yourself too seriously.