@HEmanZ Your point about reducing judgement resonates with me. I noticed that I rarely think negatively of people who appear awkward, and always admire those w

@HEmanZ Your point about reducing judgement resonates with me. I noticed that I rarely think negatively of people who appear awkward, and always admire those who appear to accept their awkwardness and move on rather than fighting hard to rid themselves of it for the sake of others' preferences. Recognizing that I don't judge other people's awkward moments allows me to apply that same acceptance to my own imperfections. I view myself through my own eyes, not what I think others see when they look at me. Sometimes I have embarrassing moments that high school me (I'm finishing undergrad now) would have probably cried over, but now I give myself a big mental hug, have a laugh-- there is always humor to be found--and then move on. The more I accept my rough edges, the easier it gets to move on to things that are more important than my lack of social graces. And I think this nonjudgmental attitude is actually making those painfully awkward moments much, much rarer. I could try very hard to change my behavior and stop being awkward. Maybe I would never have an awkward moment again. But unless I relax the immature impulse to judge, I would always be haunted by memories of those past failures. Letting go of those harsh judgements lightened my load a whole lot more than any behavioral change regime ever could.