We’ve all had those moments—tripping over our own feet, saying the wrong thing at the worst time, or realizing too late that we’ve been walking around with food on our face.
Some people shrink in embarrassment, wishing they could disappear.
But others? They laugh it off like it’s no big deal.
Being able to laugh at yourself in awkward situations is a rare and underrated skill.
It takes confidence, resilience, and a certain kind of wisdom to turn an embarrassing moment into something lighthearted instead of letting it ruin your day.
So what sets these people apart?
Here are seven inspiring traits of those who have mastered the art of self-deprecating humor—and why we can all learn from them:
1) They don’t take themselves too seriously
We all know someone who gets defensive over the smallest mistake, acting like every misstep is a personal failure.
But the people who can laugh at themselves? They don’t see life that way.
Instead of worrying about looking perfect, they embrace their flaws and quirks.
They understand that everyone makes mistakes, and rather than letting embarrassment consume them, they choose to shrug it off with a smile.
This ability comes from a deep sense of confidence; they know that one awkward moment doesn’t define them, so why stress over it?
Let’s be honest: People who don’t take themselves too seriously are just more fun to be around.
Their lighthearted attitude puts others at ease, making social interactions more enjoyable for everyone.
2) They turn awkward moments into funny stories
Some people dwell on embarrassing moments for days, replaying them in their heads and cringing every time.
But those who can laugh at themselves?
They turn those moments into stories worth sharing!
I’ll never forget the time I confidently walked into a coffee shop, only to push a “pull” door so hard that I nearly fell inside.
The barista saw the whole thing—so did half the customers—and, instead of pretending it didn’t happen, I just laughed and said, “Well, that was graceful,” which got a few chuckles from the people around me.
By owning the moment instead of being embarrassed by it, I turned an awkward situation into something lighthearted.
The best part? Later that day, when I told the story to a friend, we laughed even harder about it.
People who have this ability don’t just breeze past their embarrassing moments—they embrace them.
They know that life is full of awkward situations, so why not turn them into something fun?
3) They understand that embarrassment fades faster than we think
When something embarrassing happens, it can feel like the whole world is watching.
But in reality, people forget about it much faster than we imagine.
Psychologists call this the “spotlight effect”—the tendency to believe that others notice our mistakes far more than they actually do.
In truth, most people are too caught up in their own thoughts and worries to dwell on someone else’s awkward moment.
Those who can laugh at themselves understand this.
They don’t waste time overanalyzing every stumble or slip-up because they know that, within minutes, most people will have moved on and forgotten about it.
By letting go of embarrassment quickly, they free themselves to enjoy life without the weight of self-consciousness holding them back.
4) They make others feel comfortable
Awkward moments can create tension—not just for the person experiencing them, but for everyone around them.
When someone gets flustered or embarrassed, others often don’t know how to react; but people who laugh at themselves have a way of easing that tension.
Instead of making a situation uncomfortable, they turn it into something lighthearted.
Their ability to brush off their own mistakes signals to others that it’s okay to be imperfect.
This makes them incredibly easy to be around.
Their self-deprecating humor puts people at ease, creating an environment where everyone feels more relaxed and accepted—flaws and all.
5) They don’t tie their self-worth to perfection
For a long time, making a mistake—even a small, silly one—felt like proof that I wasn’t good enough.
If I said something dumb in a conversation or tripped over my own feet, I’d replay the moment over and over, cringing at myself.
The people who can laugh at themselves, however, don’t do this—they don’t see mistakes as a reflection of their value.
They know that being human means sometimes being awkward, clumsy, or wrong, and that’s okay.
Rather than letting embarrassment define them, they roll with it.
They choose to believe that their worth isn’t tied to being flawless—but to how they handle life’s imperfect moments.
That shift in perspective makes all the difference.
6) They know that mistakes make them more relatable
Nobody connects with perfection.
In fact, people tend to feel more comfortable around those who are willing to laugh at their own mistakes.
When someone stumbles over their words, spills their drink, or forgets what they were saying mid-sentence—and then laughs about it—it reminds us that we all have those moments.
It makes them feel more human, more approachable, and easier to connect with.
Other than trying to appear flawless, they embrace their imperfections.
In doing so, they create stronger, more genuine relationships with the people around them.
7) They choose joy over ego
At the heart of it all, the ability to laugh at yourself comes down to one simple thing: choosing joy over ego.
Ego wants to protect pride, to avoid looking foolish, to be seen as competent at all times.
But joy? Joy doesn’t care about any of that.
Joy lets you trip and laugh instead of pretending it didn’t happen; joy embraces the ridiculous parts of life instead of resisting them.
People who can laugh at themselves understand that embarrassment is temporary, but a lighthearted attitude lasts.
They know that life is a lot more fun when you stop taking yourself so seriously.
Laughter rewires the brain
The ability to laugh at yourself isn’t just a personality trait—it’s a mindset, one that might even have roots in neuroscience.
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, which help reduce stress and increase feelings of happiness.
Studies have also shown that humor can shift perspective, allowing people to distance themselves from negative emotions and see situations more objectively.
In a way, those who embrace their own awkwardness are rewiring their brains for resilience.
They’re training themselves to handle life’s uncomfortable moments with grace instead of shame.
And maybe that’s the real secret—not avoiding embarrassment, but learning to welcome it with a smile!
