My friend is a Buddhist monk and, usually, our conversations start with him saying something like, "Life is suffering." I asked his opinion about something because I was judging myself negatively for some behavior that I thought was out-of-line with what is accepted by society. You know how people say stuff like, "As long as you're aware of it, that's a start."
Well, I think they've got it all wrong, or at least 90% wrong.
My friend said all can do is be aware of it, and observe it. The key is not to judge it positively or negatively, just notice it.
I do it now sometimes. I'll be at a store and I'm like Oh, this is overwhelming and I don't know what to say and it seems like everything that comes out of my mouth is awkward, and, in the past, I would just freak out like Oh no, this is a serious problem and I'm digging deeper and things are getting worse! Now, sometimes I notice I'm doing that, and I take a step back and let the shit happen in my mind but I don't judge it, I just watch it, and then it's almost like it becomes a little game or something but it is certainly not painful.