How Learning to Laugh at Myself Helped Me Overcome Social Anxiety (and How You Can Too)

If You’ve Ever Wanted the Earth to Swallow You Whole… Same.

Social anxiety is a special kind of evil.

It turns everyday moments—like ordering coffee, walking into a room, or simply existing in public—into full-blown horror movie scenes.

If you’ve ever replayed a conversation 47 times in your head, convinced that everyone secretly thinks you're awkward, congratulations! You’re in the club.

For years, I let my social anxiety control me.

I avoided situations, obsessed over my every word, and treated my mistakes like crimes against humanity.

But then, I discovered something that changed everything: learning to laugh at myself.

Sounds ridiculous, right?

When your brain constantly whispers, "Everyone thinks you’re an idiot," laughing is the last thing that feels natural.

But hear me out—embracing humor was the fastest way I found to build confidence, stop obsessing over every little misstep, and (most importantly) stop giving my anxiety so much power.

Let’s break down why laughing at yourself is a game-changer—and how you can use it to start feeling more confident, even when your brain is being an overdramatic gremlin.

Why Laughing at Yourself Is the Ultimate Confidence Hack

1. It Takes the Power Away from Anxiety

Anxiety thrives on fear.

It wants you to take everything seriously—especially yourself.

But when you laugh at your awkward moments, anxiety loses its grip.

Instead of thinking, “Oh no, I messed up, I’m a failure,” you think, “Welp, that was embarrassing. Anyway.”

2. It Stops the Spiral of Overthinking

You know the spiral—the one where you replay a moment from six years ago and cringe so hard your soul leaves your body.

If you can learn to laugh at yourself instead, that spiral gets cut off before it starts.

3. It Makes You More Likable (to Yourself and Others)

Have you ever been around someone who can laugh off their own mistakes?

It’s charming, right?

That’s because self-deprecating humor (used in a healthy way) makes you more relatable.

More importantly, it helps you be kinder to yourself.

How to Actually Start Laughing at Yourself (Without Feeling Like a Failure)

Okay, so how do you start using humor to boost your confidence?

Here are some easy ways to practice:

1. Give Your Anxiety a Silly Nickname

Your anxiety is already treating you like you’re in a high-stakes reality TV show, so why not name it something ridiculous?

Call it Dramatic Diane, Overreacting Oliver, or Captain Cringe.

Next time your brain screams, “OMG, YOU JUST SAID SOMETHING DUMB,” you can respond, “Chill, Captain Cringe. It’s really not that deep.”

2. Practice Saying “That Was Awkward” Out Loud

When something embarrassing happens, instead of pretending it didn’t, try calling it out in a lighthearted way.

• Trip over your own feet? “And the award for Most Graceful Human goes to… not me.”

• Voice cracks in the middle of a sentence? “Wow, puberty is really hitting hard today.”

Owning the awkward moment actually makes it less awkward.

People tend to move on when you do.

3. Reframe Embarrassing Moments as Funny Stories

Think of your past awkward moments like scenes in a sitcom instead of personal failures.

Would it be hilarious if it happened to someone else?

Then it’s probably not as bad as your brain says.

Try telling a friend about your “cringe” moment, but exaggerate it for comedic effect.

Turning it into a joke makes it easier to move on from.

4. Set an “Embarrassment Quota”

Challenge yourself to do one mildly embarrassing thing per day.

Purposely mispronounce a word, ask a silly question, or make a joke that might not land.

The more you survive tiny moments of awkwardness, the more you realize… it’s really not that big of a deal.

5. Imagine a Confident Person Doing the Same Thing

Picture someone you admire doing the exact thing you’re stressing about.

Would they laugh it off?

Probably.

So why not do the same?

Final Thoughts: Confidence Isn’t About Perfection—It’s About Not Caring That You’re Not Perfect

Social anxiety wants you to believe that every little mistake is proof that you’re not good enough.

But confidence isn’t about being perfect—it’s about realizing that messing up is part of being human.

When you learn to laugh at yourself, anxiety loses its power.

You stop taking every moment so seriously.

And, little by little, you build the kind of confidence that can survive awkward moments, cringey slip-ups, and whatever nonsense your anxiety throws at you next.

So the next time you feel yourself spiraling over something small, try it: take a deep breath and laugh.

It might just be the first step to finally feeling free.

Want More Confidence Tips?

Follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube @BrainrotAuthor for more anxiety-friendly confidence hacks!

If you’ve ever survived a truly ridiculous awkward moment feel free to dm me on Instagram @BrainrotAuthor and I'll share your story with my followers. Help me inspire others to build the confidence we all dream to have!