Why cringing feels terrible (and what it says about you)

Why do you cringe at things you said years ago?Why do other people’s awkward moments make you physically recoil?Cringing is a self-conscious emotion tied to shame, belonging, and internalised social rules. It’s your nervous system trying to protect you from rejection.In Episode 21 I talk about:What cringing actually is from a psychological perspectiveWhy you judge yourself so harshly for past behaviourWhy you cringe at other people for being “too much” or "embarrassing"How conditional approval shapes your internal rulebookThe shame loop: rumination, replaying, and self-punishmentWhy highly empathetic or hyper-vigilant people cringe moreHow to respond with curiosity instead of self-abandonment and judgementCringing doesn’t mean you’re cruel. It means something inside you learned that being visible wasn’t safe.This is honest, uncomfortable self-reflection. Sit with it. Tell us why you love the show!Support the show🎙️NEW EPISODES EVERY MONDAY AND THURSDAY!! Follow so that you don’t miss an episode! I📖f you are struggling with your health, please don't go through it alone. View this: international mental health helpline directory 🌳Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thingswesayintherapy 📺YouTube: https://youtube.com/@feelingsidrathernotpodcast?si=Hswo7kvUoq7mchhz 📲Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feelingsidrathernotpodcast/ 📲TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@feelingsidrathernotpod?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc 👩‍💻RSS Feed (Buzzsprout Website): https://feelingsidrathernot.buzzsprout.com ☕️Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.https://buymeacoffee.com/feelingsidrathernotpod