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This article was co-written by Trudi Griffin, LPC, MS. Trudi Griffin is a licensed professional counselor in Wisconsin. She received her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marquette University in 2011.
There are 12 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 4,329 times.
When we repeatedly apologize, we send everyone around us the message that we are in a “sorry” state. While there are many suitable excuses, apologizing too much makes us feel guilty about being ourselves. Maybe we had good intentions at first; really want to be kind, attentive, and sensitive. Ironically, though, over-apologizing can leave everyone around you feeling alienated and confused. Once you understand what’s the potential reason for apologizing, there are a few steps you can take to change it.
Steps
Understand the habit of apologizing
- Sensitive people are often more concerned with the feelings and experiences of others than their own, so they tend to be overly apologetic. This can lead to frequent situations but it will be difficult to recognize a lack of respect or denial of someone’s worth. [1] X Research Source
- Many studies show that apologizing more often reflects shame rather than belief that the mistake has been acknowledged. [2] X Research Source
- Excessive apologizing in women is partly a matter of social conditioning in the event that you are not at fault. While changing this habit takes effort, you’ll find comfort in knowing that there’s not necessarily something “wrong” with you.
- For example, if you say “sorry, I was a few minutes early” the other person may wonder what is causing you to act conservatively towards them. They’ll probably also feel that their smile is ignored or unappreciated when you arrive early.
Control and change the apology
- “I’m sorry, I don’t want to bother you”.
- “I’m sorry, I just went out for a jog and now I’m sweaty.”
- “I’m sorry, my house is a bit messy right now.”
- “I’m sorry, I think I forgot to put salt in the popcorn.”
- Try managing your apologies this way for a week.
- You may notice that the apology seems to be meant to avoid confrontation or perhaps to appear more humble and kind.
- If you feel out of place, start turning down a role in an event and let it go. This can be especially difficult if you are someone who is apologizing on behalf of someone else to clear up a conflict when it first arises. However, apologizing on behalf of the other person often leads to feelings of resentment, because you are taking on the responsibility of the other person along with your own. [8] X Research Sources
- An apology is always a decision based on your own opinion; that is different for everyone.
- If you don’t replace regular apologies with some other word, you run the risk of just saying sorry.
- Use this trick while controlling the apology. You can then begin to replace the apology with some more meaningful expressions of care.
- This frees you from feeling responsible and creates unnecessary guilt, and saves your friend from having to reassure you that taking out the trash isn’t a big deal.
- Instead of making everyone in your life feel like you’re indebted to them, make them feel heard and understood. [12] X Research Source
- You could try talking about how they feel about a certain situation. For example, if a person has had a bad day at work, try saying something like, “That sounds tough” instead of saying “I’m sorry.” This lets the other person know that you’re paying attention to how they feel.
- If you laugh about the mistake instead of apologizing, you and everyone around you will see that you know this is a mistake. Laughter gives you the most comfort about what’s missing by helping you take the problem less seriously.
Solve the root problem for long-term change
- Also pay attention to whom you often apologize to. Lover? Or boss? Check out these relationships and which apologies have been made to certain people.
- Often an apology that corresponds to a lack of confidence can be resolved through self-acceptance and a renewed view of strength and worth. [15] X Research Source
- When it comes to continuing to correct some long-standing habits that are tied to self-esteem, support from a therapist or mental health professional can be helpful. [16] X Research Source
- Realize what your mistake is to improve. If a mistake causes you trouble or even pain, there is always an opportunity to learn from the experience and grow from it.
- For example, you may believe that you “should” always be a happy person, and feel guilty when you are unhappy. However, this is an unrealistic standard for yourself. Instead, show yourself with a little love when you’re not feeling as happy as you normally would. Say to yourself, “I had a rough day today and it’s completely normal.”
- Remember that only you can control your own actions and reactions. So, if you take a long time to get to the meeting place and are still late because of an unforeseen traffic accident, this is not your fault. It is out of control. You can explain what happened, but you don’t have to feel guilty about it.
- Value definition will give you a clear sense of how to handle a variety of situations and make decisions that come from your own direction.
- For example, consider a few people you admire. What do you respect about them? How do you apply these values to your own life? [20] X Research Source
- You can say, “I’ve come to realize that I apologize too much, and that this can make those I love uncomfortable around me. I’m trying to apologize for the unnecessary. less than”.
- Share any experiences you have with apologizing too much or about yourself when you think your partner is involved. Be very clear that you believe in yourself, they may notice some changes in you that you would like to be accepted by them.
- If any relationship relies on you knowing you were at fault or did something wrong, this is unhealthy and needs to be addressed.
- In contrast, power gives you the ability to influence others by being yourself. This is the power to have the influence you want to realize in your surroundings. [22] X Research Source
- Notice and appreciate that you have certain skills and qualities that are universally acknowledged, and that it is something to love—not deny.
- Next time you have an idea you’d like to share, don’t start with something like “I’m sorry to bother you, but….” Just be direct, confident, and polite. For example: “I have a few ideas to share with you about our new direction. When do you have time to talk?” This isn’t self-aggrandizement or aggression, but it’s also not an apology when it’s not necessary.
- Affirmations are a few personal mantras that help you gain confidence in yourself and use this confidence to create positive change, such as, “I’m good enough, just because I am.”
- Positive self-talk offers a way to turn negative thoughts that increase insecurity into encouraging and helpful thoughts. For example, the next time you hear inner criticism about something unhelpful, face a positive statement: “I have great ideas, and people believe it’s worth hearing them.”
This article was co-written by Trudi Griffin, LPC, MS. Trudi Griffin is a licensed professional counselor in Wisconsin. She received her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marquette University in 2011.
There are 12 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 4,329 times.
When we repeatedly apologize, we send everyone around us the message that we are in a “sorry” state. While there are many suitable excuses, apologizing too much makes us feel guilty about being ourselves. Maybe we had good intentions at first; really want to be kind, attentive, and sensitive. Ironically, though, over-apologizing can leave everyone around you feeling alienated and confused. Once you understand what’s the potential reason for apologizing, there are a few steps you can take to change it.
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