You should embarrass yourself. Seriously. I used to be terrified of embarrassment, but now, as I progress into adulthood, I welcome it with open arms. Recently, I’ve been complimenting strangers, being vocal at sporting events, I’ve even been waving at my professors before they begin class just because I can. As a shy person, I find my pursuits of whimsy to be daunting, but I’ve realized that life is much more fulfilling when you take a leap and step outside of your comfort zone. Life’s too short to not embarrass yourself.
When you think about it, trying new things and having fun isn’t embarrassing at all. Initial embarrassment becomes secondary to the joy of enriching experiences: raising your hand in class to provide a unique perspective, reaching out to make a new friend, applying for a job that is unlike anything you’ve done before — this is all worth doing. It’s crucial to recognize and push past self-imposed limitations, because there are so many things to do and try. We must be willing to embarrass ourselves because often the best stories result from those moments.
