Owning Our Embarrassment

Let's be real for a second (I think we are all over the Instagram highlight reel): we are all familiar with those moments that make us want to recoil, hide in bed all day, and attempt to shield ourselves from the humiliating rumor, slip-up, or drunken night out.

Maybe we are embarrassed of our past selves, the obstacles we faced, or the friendships we outgrow.

As someone who, no matter how hard I try, will always be the awkward girl who stumbles over her words, dances when she "should" be playing it cool by the bar, and who will almost always lead with her heart over her head - I think it is about time we say f**k it and just own it.

Do the goofy, life of the party people who appear to not to give a care in the world have it all figured out? Truth be told, I have no idea. It is not my place to assume, but my guess is that nobody does. Perhaps it is just a matter of fighting against the inclination to shy away when we inevitably screw up.

Then there are the labels or identities we consciously or subconsciously carry with us through each stage of life that are not serving us and shatter our confidence before we even start the day. The comment a bully made in middle school, the "friend" who spread that rumor, or the one who broke your heart - those are the things that tend to sting more and last longer. With more time on our hands, it can be difficult not to fall into the depths of insecurity and imposter syndrome, asking ourselves who we are without those labels. This time in isolation can stir up social anxiety, make us question the quality of our friendships, and overthink every interaction.

What I have come to realize is that people will always talk, but those who are truly secure in themselves do not feel the need to project and put others down. In many ways, the people most inclined to judge desperately crave the feeling of self-assurance and confidence that comes more naturally to others.

So how do we fight against the noise and get one step closer to being comfortable in our own skin?

It likely depends on the person. Maybe we need to reevaluate the people we surround ourselves with to ensure we are not making ourselves smaller. Maybe it takes doing the work to not only own the messy parts of ourselves, but celebrate them.

With that said, let's put in the work to reclaim the awkward, lean into humor, and embrace the embarrassing moments that, quite honestly, make the absolute best stories.