I'd imagine that it's them doing something they earnestly want to do, but trying to lampshade something that they believe people will perceive of them or be jud

I'd imagine that it's them doing something they earnestly want to do, but trying to lampshade something that they believe people will perceive of them or be judgmental about. Like most self-deprecating humor, people often want to signal that they're 'in' on their behaviors and not completely unaware of how they're perceived.