At one time or another, we are going to go through an awkward situation. You know, those times that make you go…
Whether it’s an awkward silence, something you said that wasn’t received well or a misunderstanding, we’ve all been through some kind of awkward situation that (quite honestly) made us want to disappear.
This feeling gets amplified of course if you are someone who is shy by nature. Oh yeah ladies, I got your back! Do you dread social engagements because you don’t know how to communicate without second-guessing yourself? Or maybe you cringe at the thought of giving a public talk.
No matter where you stand, awkward situations are inevitable but we need to find ways to get over them because resisting it just keeps us in a box of “shoulda, coulda, woulda’s” because it stunts our capacity to do what our spirit is calling us to do.
You’ve heard it a million KAZILLION times but I’m gonna say it again, “Anything great in life comes outside of your comfort zone…” If you are reading this and follow TLC regularly, you are a woman who has a desire inside for greatness. You don’t want to settle for mediocre… who’d want to though… that’s just BASIC AF!
Ok… now that I’m done with the motivational stuff, lets get into the truth of everything.
When you start stepping out of your comfort zone and stop being a hermit, you are going to experience three things:
- People who just don’t understand you or don’t care (ultimate dismissal)
- You are going to say something that either freaks people the fuck out or leaves them speechless… (AWKWARD)
- You’re going to be 10 steps ahead of the game while “basic AF” people are going to be confused because they are still on “basic step 1” (prepare for judgment)
No matter what babe, you are going to feel dismissed, awkward, and judged. How’s that for positivity! The good news is, YOU WILL LIVE!
Yup, no one has died from someone’s opinion. Now, I don’t want you feeling like shit but I do want you to know that someone’s judgment of you shouldn’t give you permission to judge yourself, especially since these same people don’t even like themselves.
I bet by this time you are ready for me to get into tips on how to handle the awkward moments that may (will) arise on your journey:
Don’t fear silence
The worst thing we can do when there is an awkward silence is try to fill it with “filler words,” in hopes to make the other person feel comfortable… STOP that shit! Because most of the time what happens is we end up saying things we regret and second-guess later.
Stand confidently in what you have to offer
Stop trying to prove your worth. Again, people judging, judge themselves far worse.
Invite positive feedback
Feedback is not criticism, but so often striving for perfectionism will make someone’s feedback feel earth shattering. It’s not. And the more accepting we are of feedback the more we grow.
Don’t downplay
Ladies are NOTORIOUS for downplaying their successes. Whether it’s not being able to accept a compliment or trying to be OVERLY humble, it’s time we stop downplaying who we are and what we do. Accept praise and simply say… “Thank you.”
Take a breath
The most uncomfortable situations will rock the boat at times and leave us in a pile of our own sweat, but if you can take a breath and remember that it’s NOT the end of the world, it will get you back to your center and repeat the rest of the steps.
What makes a situation awkward is not others or the situation itself… it’s the meaning you give to it.
Kristy Petersen SAYS:
Oh my girl Taylah needs to read this! She literally will almost die in awkward situations… awkward doesn’t bother me I think I talk too much for awkward situations or maybe I just don’t notice them ????. I remember as a teenager and young adult if my friends received compliments they wouldn’t know how to take it and say nah I don’t think so etc if someone complimented me on my looks or what I’m
Wearing I’d always say thank you I think so too haha my friends would literally cringe at the fact I accepted and said I agree lol. I do cringe at the thought of walking into a crowded room alone… that makes me freak out.
Kristy xx