RBF Tips - What it is and how to fix your face if you have it

[@nabilahfuzi9824]

my muscle on my face is too tired to smile for a long time

[@jane7758]

Asked a lot...!? Is it only me who gets attacked, laughed at and ridiculed by random groups of people because of my RBF?

[@lovaticdreamer14]

Same! Sometimes people glare at me (probably because of my unintentional glare at them oops) but other times people just look at my sour face and literally just burst out laughing lol because it is just SO BAD ugh I hate it

[@chunkymunk3y]

@@lovaticdreamer14 Damn I thought I was the only one.

[@LisaMitchellexpert]

People are more comfortable with "friendly" or "open" cues on people's faces, it's more about managing their expectations and understanding how people's faces work than it is anything else. Being purposeful on choosing a "pleasant default facial expression" if you're afraid you might be perceived wrong is an option but it does take effort.

[@MrOner07]

i thought i was the only one who suffers from this...new ppl are afraid of befriending me because of my rbf...they always asks others "why is ur friend there so serious?"

[@LisaMitchellexpert]

It can be hard to convey openness and friendliness if you're default facial expression is more serious. It's amazing what a well time lift or smile can do to convey warmth to new people and let their guard down a bit. People fear rejection so if they think you might not like them, they stay away.

[@faryalkhan6918]

Same here, everyone thinks that I am an angry grumpy person where as I am not 😑

[@11candy11]

I agree. It’s slack muscle use, similar to poor body posture. I like to think of it as engaging facial muscles to present good facial posture. Plus, the more we default to lax facial muscles, the more those muscles atrophy and the problem gets worse

[@LisaMitchellexpert]

Great way to frame that Candy! I agree!

[@johnteyed6080]

Thanks for the insight. I just discovered what it's called! Been dealing with this the whole time!

[@fousies]

I think raising the eyebrows helps

[@amaniali3185]

Me too but it will give you forehead wrinkles

[@rubychavez9913]

It’s does but my eyebrows muscles get tired

[@LisaMitchellexpert]

You're right! A brief eye brow raise can show familiarity and warmth and invite people to approach you more often

[@CottonCandy-xk6ts]

I watched so many vedios like this and tried them all (as they're all the same) but it doesn't work much. Whenever I'm not super happy or just happy I come back to my RBF and then it's hard to come out of that again like the first time I tried. Isn't there any proper cure for this???

[@LisaMitchellexpert]

Really there's no "cure" other than being aware, which you are, and being intentional about what you put on your face when you need people to perceive you a certain way. It's not fair that you have to manage yourself so carefully but it is one communications tool you can use if you choose.

[@perryh.5306]

A girl having RBF is super cute! I'm more attracted to that look than one smiling!

[@Hoodat_Whatzit]

My RBF went into overdrive when you worried about "video being forever" and wouldn't relax your face. ::eye roll:: I was looking for funny RBF videos. Sometimes RBF is an intentional "weapon."

[@rediris347]

All.....my....life.....(heavy sigh).

[@LisaMitchellexpert]

You're in very good company!

[@tinnaing2600]

hey lisa, i have a resting happy face just like elon musk. what should i do to prevent it?

[@LisaMitchellexpert]

Hey Tin, just like when your face may default to a negative expression, it may default to a positive expression that could also be incongruent with your true emotions and cause problems too. I would recommend you practice finding a comfortable new default expression that you can be mindful about putting it on your face when you need to look a little more serious. Hope that helps!

[@tinnaing2600]

thank you for the response! really appreciate it

[@technofeeliak]

@@LisaMitchellexpert I say, keep them guessing. If you have a little face paint try to look a crazy, like the Joker. lol, just kidding.

[@LisaMitchellexpert]

@@technofeeliak That's certainly one way to play it! It all depends on your intention and what outcome you want for the interaction. It would certainly keep people on their toes!

[@j_g0389]

Keep the resting happy face! I used to have one and hated it so I forced a rbf and now I’m stuck with it and wish I had just kept the happy face

[@technofeeliak]

What if your life defaults to bitch?

[@lawoman608]

Omg get to the point!

[@littleloudshoes]

Yessssss, even on faster speed

[@LisaMitchellexpert]

I like to provide context and share more than just the procedure. Thanks for the feedback and your patience!