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Body hair -

The body hair industry, from waxing to shaving to laser and so on, is extremely profitable precisely because we have bought into the society-fed embarrassment surrounding our natural fuzz. Take a look at the history of body hair removal to get a better idea.

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Making a mistake -

Not one single person on this planet is perfect, and yet we’re still filled with shame when we make a mistake. Foregoing the embarrassment is a great way to speed to the point of learning and improving.

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Saying "no" -

People have a tendency to ask too much from others, especially when there are certain social structures at play, like if it’s your boss or a family member. You’re allowed to say no to shortening your vacation, to a blind date, or to anything else you don’t feel comfortable with.

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Getting sick -

Unless you went to a COVID-19 party to purposely catch the virus, there’s no reason to be embarrassed about getting sick. As long as you aren’t infecting others, doing things like calling in sick to work shouldn’t be something you get nervous about.

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Sweat -

Products and procedures to lessen sweat (blocking the pores) have been repeatedly proven to be very dangerous for our health, and yet people still use them because they’re embarrassed of sweat—that totally natural and healthy bodily function that regulates our body temperature. 

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Farting in front of your partner -

If you can’t love each other and still accept the fact that farts happen, maybe the bond isn’t as deep as you think.

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Going for the cheaper option -

Even if you have the money, you must remind yourself when in a situation where someone is sticking their nose up at the cheaper option, that you worked hard for your money! It’s also not embarrassing if you can’t afford something, and anyone who makes you feel like that is certainly not someone you want around.

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Confessing feelings -

Because we’re afraid of the embarrassment of rejection, many people don’t confess their feelings to someone who could very well be the love of their life!

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Old memories -

We all have at least one cringey memory that keeps replaying in our minds and retraumatizing us with absolutely zero benefit. The thing to remember here is that you’re the only one still thinking about it! Everyone else has likely forgotten, so stop hiking up your heartbeat for no reason.

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Not being married yet -

Whether you have a partner or not, family and friends tend to lay on the pressure to get married when the fact remains that you might not ever want to get married and you would still live a fulfilling life. There is also no age by which one should be married!

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Crying in public -

Or crying at all! We’re all humans who can only bear so much, and a good cry almost never comes at a convenient time. Instead of worrying about what people will think, embrace the rush of emotions, as it’s been scientifically proven to be a healthy physical release.

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Not buying anything -

For some reason, we all worry that we’re going to attract attention if we’re leaving a store empty-handed, but it’s perfectly normal to leave if you don’t find what you wanted! It’s also normal to ask for the price of something or try on clothes and still not buy them.

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Having your period -

There is so much secrecy about menstruation that most people have rarely ever seen a person hold a pad or tampon in their hand on the way to the bathroom. But are we really going to pretend that periods aren’t affecting half the world’s population on a monthly basis?

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Repeating yourself -

Whether your tone was too low or the person’s hearing wasn’t good enough, this happens a lot and shouldn’t be as embarrassing as it often feels.

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Stomach noises -

For some reason we’re often embarrassed of any noise exiting our body without our utmost intention, but whether your stomach is growling with hunger or burbling with digestion, it’s a waste of time to be embarrassed about involuntary body sounds that everyone experiences.

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Turning around and walking the other way -

If you realize you’re walking in the wrong direction or you forgot something behind, some people will actually do a wide circle to get back instead of simply pivoting around. Mistakes happen! Save yourself the time and energy by getting to where you need to go without the shame.

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Getting tested -

Being too embarrassed to go get tested is not only very dangerous but also completely ridiculous! Getting tested should be a regular process and in no way means you have an STD, but instead means you’re a mature adult who takes their health and that of their partners seriously.

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Sexual experience -

From holding out for the right one to diving in for a tasting menu, wherever you fall on the spectrum of sexual experience, it's nothing to be embarrassed about. The age at which people are ready to start and the frequency at which people have sex are completely unique to everyone and there will always be pros and cons to each side.

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Being slow at the check-out -

When the cashier starts to serve the person behind you and suddenly things don’t fit right in bags and your purse zipper won’t close and your heart starts beating because you feel like everyone’s rushing you—yeah, that is embarrassment for no reason at all.

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Carrying toilet paper home from the store -

There's something about the public admittance of using the toilet... but we all do it! And frankly, it’s much more embarrassing if you’re not using toilet paper…

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Mental illness -

Calling work to let them know you have a cold already makes some people nervous, but calling in for a mental health day is even harder for many. The stigma around mental illness with colleagues, friends, and family is only harmful for everyone involved, and it should be treated like a broken arm—spoken about out loud, without embarrassment.

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Following your dreams -

Not going the traditional route of education or work can make things like family gatherings a nightmare, but this is one area in which you must always prioritize your own vision because you’re the one who’s going to have to live with it. Following your dreams is a privilege, after all.

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Being serenaded by ‘Happy Birthday’ -

Some people dread the birthday attention despite birthdays being an enormously accepted social norm. If it’s your birthday, it only means you’re alive like the rest of us!

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Returning something -

Perhaps the embarrassment stems from why the item has to be returned, or it’s the look on the cashier’s face–whatever it is, think about it as purely transactional. You don’t have to explain yourself as long as you’ve got your receipt.

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Being bullied -

From childhood, many people learn to feel shame about being bullied, and that can often feed into adulthood. It’s quite backwards logic, since the shame should land upon the bully instead of adding on to the bullied person’s load, but nevertheless it exists. Speaking out about bullies doesn’t mean you’re weak, and can actually end the torturous cycle instead of enabling it.

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Your culture or traditions -

Whether it’s a kind of food you’re bringing to the office for lunch, or a type of clothing you’re wearing, or a custom your family celebrates, the time has definitely passed for embarrassment about one’s traditions or culture.

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Knowing things about someone from social media -

Look, the information is voluntarily out there for a reason, and everyone scans the social media accounts of people they’re interested in! Stop the pretend reactions to information you already knew, because those are probably more embarrassing than admitting you read it online.

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Forgetting someone’s name -

This happens to everyone, sometimes even immediately after someone tells you their name. Instead of saying, “Hey, you,” it should be more normal to just ask someone’s name again.

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Gaining/losing weight -

First of all, no one should be commenting on other people’s weight. Secondly, the 'ideal' body shape has changed so much over time that just because you might not have it now doesn’t mean it wasn’t ever—which is to say that beauty is a social construct!

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Locating someone in a restaurant -

There is just no real reason why this feels so embarrassing, so how about we just don't react like it is?

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Opening cards with money in them -

Have you ever done the pretend focus on what the card says as if you didn’t notice the money first? You’re not alone!

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Telling the truth -

There should never be shame in telling the truth.

Sources: (MensXP) (Bored Panda) 

See more: Famous actors reveal their most embarrassing moments on set

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