My aunt's one comment about my fake laugh made me dial it back

At my cousin's wedding last month in Cleveland, I was doing my usual thing, smiling through every awkward family question and letting out that big performative laugh when my aunt pulled me aside. She said, "Honey, that laugh sounds like a goose being stepped on, nobody believes it." I didn't even realize I had a fake laugh, but she was right. I started paying attention and realized I only did it around people I was trying to impress. So now when I'm faking being fine at a party, I just nod and say "oh wow" instead of laughing. It feels less exhausting honestly. Has anyone else gotten feedback like that, where someone called out your acting and you had to find a new mask?

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phoenixw1121d ago

Good for your aunt for telling you the truth, even if it stung. I had a friend do something similar and it sucked at first but honestly it was freeing to drop the act. The nod and "oh wow" thing is SO much easier than forcing a laugh all night.