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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at KU chapter.

I’m awkward. MTV essentially made a show about my life. But, I know I can’t be the only one out there who is awkward, right? I’m probably talking to myself here— awkward.  Today, ladies, I’m going to teach you five easy ways to embrace your awkward side— even if you think you don’t have one.

1.  Laugh

I know it can be hard to laugh at your stupidity sometimes, but for you to embrace everything you can be, you need to. Laughing at yourself actually can make you more likely to be easier on yourself. What I have found is that when I fall up the stairs in front of people or post something stupid on Twitter, I can laugh and remember that everyone makes mistakes.  Laughing at yourself is an easy way to embrace your awkward and will, in the long run, make you a fun person to be around.

Who doesn’t love a picture of a awkward cat?

2. Putting Yourself Out There

This tip is directed at you wonderful freshman— like me! Putting yourself out there in college is a great way to make friends and embrace the awkward. Coming to college is always a stressful time and putting yourself in the middle of madness is always a great way to get to know other people like you! It probably won’t be easy, but if you know that you can embrace yourself and show confidence in awkward, situations you will be golden! 

3. Go The Extra Mile

Okay, this tip might be just a little confusing, so let me explain. When you are able to embrace the fact that you are awkward, sometimes you go that extra mile to prove that you are. Catching my drift? Of course, I’m not asking you to fall up the stairs everyday, but do go the extra mile in embracing who you are; don’t change. Always make sure that you are being your lovely awkward self all of the time.

4. Live Your Life

Embracing that you’re awkward is a perfect way to live your life to the fullest. Living your life for yourself and not for anybody else is a huge way to grasp your awkwardness because you own it and do embrace it for yourself. Know that you are awkward, and you are who you are and nobody will be able to change your mind.

5. Be Confident

This tip, I think, wraps up the first few tips. Being confident is an important aspect of embracing how awkward you want to be. I have had so many years of being awkward, but not confident. I’ve found that confidence is a key aspect of embracing your awkward. Confidence means going the extra mile, putting yourself out there, being able to laugh at yourself and living your life is all about embracing that you’re awkward, confidently.  

So, did some of you realize that you might have a little bit of awkward in you after all? I hope so. Being awkward isn’t about being stupid or falling up the stairs. It’s being able to embrace yourself and situations out of you control. So, ladies, go forth and be awkward. 

Shelby is a senior here at KU. As well as being the Admin Director for Her Campus KU and a Chapter Advisor, she is involved in Student Senate and Alpha Delta Pi. Her obsession with Chipotle is never ending and she can make a mean chocolate chip cookie. Follow her on Twitter @shelsncheese and Instagram @shelbyostrom_