Embarrassment is weakness, dangerous, senseless, and pointless. It will keep you from doing meaningful things in your life. A person who gets embarrassed easily will not ask for help when they need it. Shy people are comfortable in their box, never straying too far from what makes them feel content. There is an old saying that goes;
Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall.
Embarrassment is the opposite of humility because one easily embarrassed is afraid of failure. Failures are valuable lessons. Cherish them! Our failures help us learn and craft ourselves into better human beings. Those who fail before they succeed appreciate it more, and appreciation is the key to happiness.
A False Sense Of Control
People easily embarrassed have a false sense of control. They feel they are the ones in control of their surroundings when, in reality, the opposite is true. A person can only control how they react or feel about their surroundings. When a Stoic find themselves in uncomfortable surroundings, they change their attitude about the discomfort. Sometimes there is an option to leave, remodel, redecorate, and sometimes there’s not. However, why not get what you can from an uncomfortable experience?
Stoics Do Not Get Embarrassed
Stoics do not get embarrassed because they realize they only control themselves. To give such weakness power is to self-destruct. Marcus Aurelius says;
“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way!”
If embarrassment is the impediment to action, then this is what one must deal with before they can do anything else! There is nothing beneficial about being embarrassed. There is benefit from dealing with difficult situations that may arise in your life. Embarrassment leads to cowardly actions. There are many that justify unjust things because of this non-virtuous inaction.
Embarrassment Is Fear You Don’t Need
There is healthy fear and unhealthy fear. Embarrassment is an unhealthy fear that no one needs. It will make you stumble. It will keep you from trying new beneficial things. Remember that you are the one in control of how you feel and react. You are not a helpless individual. The power is yours don’t give it to another.
Conquer The Feeling Of Embarrassment
Conquer the feeling of being embarrassed. Recognize it is a weakness to destroy you, so you must destroy it. You only “Look Stupid” when you give this feeling power. When you feel like this emotion is going to overtake, you practice box breathing. Breath in 1,2,3,4 hold 1,2,3,4 breathe out 1,2,3,4 hold 1,2,3,4. Repeat as many times as you wish.
Let People Laugh At You
Do you feel you are so important that people should never laugh at you? Laugh at yourself, laugh at others. Memento Mori means “Remember that you have to die”. Live in a world of reality where funny things happen. People do stupid things. Learn from your mistakes. Cherish your failures.
The Difference Between Contentment & Fulfillment
Content people may be complacent about their lives. They may believe sometimes that they have no power over anything and that they must just accept everything as it is. A person who values fulfillment is a little different in the sense that they throw the fear away. They recognize they can change how they feel and where they are. This could lead to over ambition or adrenaline junkies. So the goal would be to find a “sweet spot”. You can have the feeling of contentment, but don’t be afraid to try something new that may make you fulfilled.