Falling with Grace

After Jennifer Lawrence’s little trip at the Oscar’s, we were all reminded that even celebrities have those awkward moments that make them human. And if you’re anything like me, you often embarrass yourself with a slight trip or even flat out fall that brings other’s laughter upon you and one very bright red face.

Although we wish it wasn’t, falling, tripping, sliding and slipping are just some of the many things that make us human. So if we can’t avoid the embarrassing moments entirely, why not try and smooth them over?

When Lawrence fell, she immediately made light of it on stage saying, “You guys are just standing up because you feel bad that I fell, and that’s really embarrassing.” By poking fun at herself, she took away the opportunity for others to make fun of her. She laughed with the audience, rather than the audience laughing at her. This is a great way to make an embarrassing moment a little less awkward. Laughing at yourself tells others around you that you’re okay and makes them feel less uncomfortable that they witnessed your fall.

In addition to laughing, try adding a humorous comment like, “I did that on purpose” or “I do all my own stunts.” Humor is a great way to make that embarrassing moment more of a joke than humiliation. However, make sure not to overdue the laughing or the jokes, because it could come off annoying or like you’re trying too hard. Keep it light-hearted, and you’ll be on your feet in no time!

Most importantly, never make a scene, yell, get angry or cry after you fall. Those kinds of actions tend to make others remember the moment. On the other hand, if your reaction is pleasant, people will quickly forget what happened and move on.

Remember that embarrassing things happen all the time to everyone! So next time you’re flat on your butt in the middle of College Ave., or you trip up the steps in the HUB, laugh it off! Life wouldn’t be interesting without our humanly mishaps.

Photo credit:  Kevin Winter/Getty Images, http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk