Nineteen years walking this earth and it finally clicked to me why laughing at myself and letting other people do it, too, is so rewarding.
When I was little I used to talk all the time. My mum always tells me how I would answer my own questions sometimes. As I started growing up, that feeling of freedom at the time to speak slowly disappeared and it was replaced with the fear of being judged and of looking dumb for some reason in front of the people who were watching and listening to me. It was not only when I was in front of strangers or a teacher, but I was skeptical of doing anything in front of my own friends. Well, now that has definitely changed.
Growing up has showed me to differentiate when the situation allows me to be myself and not be measuring what I say and do all the time. Not only that, but I learned to be comfortable and confident enough with myself to do what I think is appropriate and not think about it 10 times before doing so because of what other people might think.
Now, coming back to being able to laugh at myself, I found out that the beauty of it is that when you are the first person to recognize whatever funny or silly thing you just did, then most of the time it is almost like you can control when other people will laugh at at you too or not. Also, no one can laugh “at” you if you are laughing at yourself with them from the beginning. I find a certain power in it that I didn't have before.
Not only do I feel like I am in charge of when I am the reason why everyone is laughing but I like being the reason of a happy moment. From my stand point, not only is it a good thing that I can laugh at stuff I do and not feel awkward or stupid about it, but if people around me are having a good time even from a silly dance move or comment I made then my day is ten times brighter than before. I found out I am less grumpy when jokes come out of the stupid stuff I do, than when it only is something I am ashamed of. Also, it helps to break the ice in tense situations or when I am not a thousand times comfortable. Lets all just laugh it off.
Finally, no one is perfect. Everyone will make a mistake once or twice but the moment you can turn that awkward moment into an inner joke with someone and laugh about it later then there will be very few situations that will make you cringe in the future. When you learn to laugh at yourself, the pressure of being perfect the entire time will go away.
When someone laughs at themselves, it shows confidence, strength and a good sense of humor. There is no need to take yourself so seriously and making others laugh is a blessing. With you or at you, once you are comfortable enough with your own person to do stupid stuff around people, then good times are going to be many more. Also, few cringe attacks for later.
