Coming to terms with being a klutz

Do you find yourself constantly spilling water or unknowingly sending unsolicited thumbs-up emojis into group chats? Have you tried out go-karting and lost control and can't seem to avoid driving straight into the tires every single time? Have you ever managed to sprain your ankle because you were on the phone and weren't paying attention? If yes, there are only two probable conclusions – someone has cursed you, or you're a klutz.

So, what is a klutz? A clumsy, foolish, or awkward person is often referred to as being klutzy or, simply, a klutz. Historically, the klutz trope has been used in popular media to portray clumsy and loveable characters but also to connote that they aren't bright. Popular examples of klutzy characters include Goofy and Karen Smith from Mean Girls, two characters often dismissed as unintelligent due to their clumsy behavior. While the term isn't meant to be derogatory, it can sometimes be insulting. 

How does one know that they are a klutz? There isn't any diagnostic test for determining if you are one, but there are some telling behaviors. Clumsiness is often the biggest tell of someone being klutzy. For example, choking on your water at the ripe old age of 22, not being able to tie knots cause your fingers to refuse to cooperate, or being prone to breaking your parent's vases and trinkets at an age where you should have reliable motor skills should be a solid indicator of clumsiness.

Do you find your trifling self doing the most foolish things at times? Do you blurt out your negative feelings about someone while they're standing behind you? Or have you ever sent screenshots of a conversation to the person you're texting? While these out-of-the-blue occurrences can happen to anyone, consistently making yourself a public spectacle by embarrassing yourself is peak klutz behavior.  

Jokes aside, being clumsy can tend to be demoralising. Your peers can think less of you and try to belittle you at the expense of your mistakes, which can sometimes be very hurtful since your clumsiness isn't something you can't control. Furthermore, being klutzy can spill over into your academics and work, making life even more challenging than it already is. 

The key is not to be too hard on yourself, as even though being klutzy is challenging, it doesn't define you as a person. While klutziness can't be "cured" or "fixed," there are ways to be more mindful of yourself and make yourself less accident and embarrassment prone. 

Not paying attention to the negative stigma attached to being klutzy is easier said than done, but it can take the associated baggage away. And finally, keep water as far away from your computer as possible. It'd be a shame if it spilled on your keyboar—[email protected] pg^wus/#mjbncs.

Turns out Taaseen Mohammed Islam can write semi-decently at the expense of being able to do basic math. Send him pointers at [email protected]