Is it really all that cringe?

You know those memories that make you cringe inwardly? You know... the ones that make you want to figuratively crawl into a hole and hide? 
Like the time that you fell flat on your face in front of your crush. 
Or the time that you were fan girling over an up and coming rock god and he noticed.
How about the one where you stumble over a simple thing like your name during an introduction.
Yeah those.
I have a lifetime of those.
But, in all reality, are they truly all the cringe? 
Remembering these awkward moments is never comfortable, but should we really be assigning so much embarrassment to them?
I was a socially awkward kid who tried way too hard way too often. I just wanted to be one of the cool kids. 
Looking back now, I have a nearly overwhelming desire to gather that awkward kiddo up and hold her close, telling her how beautiful she is, how gloriously stunning her smile is and how comforting her soul is to other people.
To me, those moments were absolutely unpleasant. But they helped shape me into who I am today. Remembering the innumerable occasions that would be thought of as cringe reminds me to be as gentle with myself as I encourage others to be with themselves.
Maybe that's why we remember them. To be reminded, not of the uncomfortableness of them, but to be gentle with ourselves.
Being who we really are, we all deserve gentleness and compassion, from ourselves most of all.

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