If I could describe my life in one word it would be cringe. I do an array of cringeworthy things daily, and an important part of growing up is learning how to let embarrassing things go (although they always seem to haunt me in my sleep). I guess this is a mixture of advice on how to stop caring so much about what other people think, but also how to deal with awkwardness that is likely to crop up at some point.

Now awkwardness comes in a variety of strengths. Sometimes things are only mildly awkward, sometimes you want to crawl into a hole and cry. I've found that humour usually gets rid of awkwardness (although this does not work in every situation, believe me) so maybe make a witty comment or at least say something to break the awkwardness. If the worst comes to the worst, just find an excuse to leave the awkward situation and leg it out of there.

The longer you stay in an awkward situation the more awkward it gets.

Trust me.

Now the only stage of getting over the awkwardness of life is to learn when to care about things and when to just laugh them off. Of course at the time it's going to be uncomfortable, but if you keep replaying it in your head (as I like to do at 3am when I can't sleep) you're never going to get over it. I still replay conversations I had with people three years ago. THREE YEARS AGO. To let go you simply have to laugh it off, and put in perspective. Okay maybe you went in to hug someone and they just wanted to shake your hand, but that person probably won't even remember that encounter in a few hours. If you overthink things you make them bigger in your head. So to escape the cringe you simply have it forget it. Move on with your life. Think about bigger things. Sometimes it's better to think about even more embarrassing things that you've done because it puts small awkward encounters into perspective.

So rule fifty four of surviving Teenagehood: I know that women just mistook you for her husband and proceeded to kiss your hand, but you've just got to smile and slowly move away.