Okay, we need to talk about your chronic over-apologizing. You know who you are. You say sorry when someone bumps into you. You say sorry when you ask for the check at a restaurant. You say sorry when you text a friend back after three hours instead of three minutes. You’re practically apologizing for existing, and honestly? It’s gotta stop.
Now, before you say, “But I’m just being polite!”—nope, not buying it. There’s a difference between being considerate and acting like a walking, talking regret machine. Apologizing too much doesn’t make you more likable; it just makes you seem unsure of yourself. And worse? It waters down your actual apologies when they do matter.
The Problem with Perpetual Sorry-ing
Let’s be real: half the time, you’re not even sorry. You’re just filling space, deflecting tension, or trying to make sure nobody is mad at you. But over-apologizing does something sneaky—it subtly suggests you’re at fault for things that aren’t even your fault. And that can mess with your confidence.
Think about it: If every little thing you do requires an apology, what does that say about your self-worth? It’s like you’re apologizing for taking up space in the world, and frankly, that’s not the energy we need in 2025.
When You Should Say Sorry
I’m not saying you should turn into an unapologetic monster. Apologies are powerful when used correctly. Here’s when a “sorry” is actually warranted:
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When you’ve hurt someone’s feelings.
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When you’ve made a real mistake.
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When you’ve actually inconvenienced someone.
That’s it. Everything else? Not necessary.
What to Say Instead
Alright, let’s work on breaking this habit. Next time you feel the word “sorry” about to slip out unnecessarily, try these instead:
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When you’re late: “Thanks for waiting for me.”
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When you didn’t reply to a text immediately: “Hey! Just saw this. What’s up?”
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When you need something: “Excuse me, can I grab your attention for a sec?”
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When someone bumps into you: Nothing. Just keep it moving.
See? You’re still polite, but you’re not apologizing for things you don’t need to apologize for.
The Takeaway
You don’t need to shrink yourself to be accepted. You don’t need to say sorry just to keep the peace. The people who matter won’t need you to apologize for simply existing. So let’s make a pact: From this day forward, we retire the unnecessary “sorrys” and start owning our space. Deal?