We’ve all been caught in an awkward and uncomfortable unforeseen situation. At the end of the day, regardless of the source, we must all face and deal with the difficult circumstances. Awkward inquiries, unintentional comments, and unexpected situations make their way into our lives. Complicated social situations, on the other hand, should not be a source of frustration for you. Although we all want to avoid embarrassing situations, there are various strategies you may employ to stay calm and cool. Here are some life hacks that may assist you to cope with awkward situations.
1. Stay Confident
One of the most fundamental parts to cope with awkward situations is confidence. However, many of us struggle with being confident and having that confidence. As a result, learning to project confidence is a great approach to deal with uncomfortable circumstances.
Since awkward situations vary and are unpredictable, having the skills to adjust depending on the situation is very important. Start practicing your confidence by chatting with strangers, starting a conversation with new people that you meet on daily, or making new acquaintances to help you cope with unexpected social circumstances.
Stay confident and trust yourself that you are able to control the situation and stay calm.
2. Simply Face It
When you find yourself in an awkward situation, you have no choice but to confront the matter at hand. This may not be easy since it will require a lot of guts to deal with the awkwardness, but it is the most effective method to quickly eliminate the awkward situation.
If you are naturally more introverted and nervous, this may be challenging, but laughing it off is usually the fastest solution. Remember not to be afraid to address your own flaws. You might even make a joke about yourself that could make them feel more comfortable and relax, allowing you to proceed and have additional subjects to discuss.
3. Try to Find a Private Space
It is fairly frequent to unexpectedly pass by a friend or family member when strolling across the street, corridor, etc. Instead of having a discussion in the middle of a crowd and ending up being awkward with the whole situation, consider looking for a private place where you can talk comfortably without having to worry of someone listening in.
To be honest, it’s quite humiliating if you or your companion suddenly brought up an inappropriate topic and passersby could physically hear you and give you that “stare.” As a result, it is preferable for you to hold the conversation and find that private space. This could make the conversation smoother and exclusive.
4. Stay Away From The Silence
According to research, it just takes four seconds of awkward silence to increase your tension during a conversation. The more stressed you are, the less eloquent you will be. Remember to always do your utmost to prevent silence.
Once that awkward silence appears, there is a high possibility that you will be under pressure and have difficulty in catching up and fixing the whole situation. Therefore, plan out what you want to say ahead of time wherever feasible. Having the idea of what you need to express will help you deliver your message with as little awkward silence as possible.
5. Taking a Seat
Do you know that by sitting down it can make you feel more comfortable in an awkward situation? Keep in mind that it is very important for you and the other person you are talking to are on the same level. It will be very uncomfortable and awkward if you keep on standing while talking to your friend who is sitting down. In this situation, you will be facing and talking down in order to communicate with them and you do not want this.
This can make the situation really awkward since it is going to be hard for you to adjust your tone. Try to always be on the same level when you are talking to another person. This will make you and your companion more comfortable and avoid embarrassing situations.
6. Recognize and Communicate Your Discomfort
It is very important for you to always recognize and openly acknowledge yourself when you are feeling uncomfortable in that situation. Never deny your discomfort. Trying to deny your suffering might make you appear untrustworthy.
Recognize your nervousness if you’re fidgeting, changing your posture, or avoiding eye contact. Be brave and tell the person that you are talking to that you are actually uncomfortable in talking about that specific topic. Simply be honest with yourself and your partner about how you feel; as a result, your partner may do something to help fix the issue or change the subject, helping you feel more comfortable.
7. Bring The Conversation to a Conclusion
When you are caught up in an awkward situation, they tend to end awkwardly as well. The uncertainty in the flow of communication over whether or not the discussion has ended, or uncertainty about what will happen next, just adds to the awkwardness.
Be clear with your statement and make sure that you have clearly delivered what you want to say. If you desire the other person to do something else, let them know. Then, at the end of the conversation, say something like, “That’s all I had to say for now. Consider it and let me know if you have any queries.”
8. Relax Your Nerves
Calming your anxieties, such employing self-talk to stay focused, can help you get through and cope with awkward situations. Taking a genuine step toward staying focused and in control during a difficult circumstance might put you in a better position to respond. To keep your pulse rate down and your hands dry, try some simple breathing methods.
If you have that ability to stay calm and relaxed, you’ll be able to recover much more quickly. By being more relaxed and focused, you will be better in delivering your words and plan what you are going to say next. This will keep the conversation going while also creating a comfortable atmosphere.
