How to Apologize More Sincerely

Relationships can be wonderful buffers against stress, but relationship conflicts can cause considerable emotional pain and stress. Knowing how to apologize—and when—can repair damage in a relationship, but if you don't know how to apologize sincerely, you can actually make things worse.

Effective apologies are simple if you know what to say. Here are some easy steps to help you learn how to apologize sincerely and effectively.

Understand Reasons to Apologize

When you've made a mistake or hurt another person, there are many good reasons why you should apologize. By apologizing, you are able to:

• Acknowledge that you were wrong.
• Discuss what is allowed and not allowed in your relationship.
• Express your regret and remorse.
• Learn from your mistakes and find new ways of dealing with difficult situations.
• Open up a line of communication with the other person.

A sincere apology can also bring relief, particularly if you have guilt over your actions. An apology alone doesn't erase the hurt or make it OK; it does establish that you know your actions or words were wrong and that you will strive harder in the future to prevent it from happening again.

Not apologizing when you are wrong can be damaging to your personal and professional relationships. It can also lead to rumination, anger, resentment, and hostility that may only grow over time.

Research suggests that some of the major reasons why people don't apologize are that they aren't really concerned about the other person, apologizing threatens their own self-image, or they believe that an apology won't do any good anyway. 

Why Apologies Are Important

Know When to Apologize

Knowing when to apologize is as important as knowing how to apologize. Generally speaking, if you suspect that something you did—on purpose or by accident—caused someone else hard feelings, it's a good idea to apologize and clear the air.

If what you did would have bothered you if it was done to you, an apology is clearly in order. If you're not sure, an apology offers you the chance to "own" mistakes you made, but re-establish what you think was okay. If you feel the other person is being unreasonable, a discussion may be in order. You can decide where you stand on the apology after that.

While a sincere apology can go a long way toward mending a relationship, people are often unwilling or unable to take this step. Admitting you were wrong can be difficult and humbling.

Researchers have found that people who believe that personality is changeable are more likely to apologize for harmful actions.¹ Because they feel that change is possible, they feel that accepting the blame for their mistakes is an opportunity for learning and growth.

Take Responsibility

Taking responsibility means acknowledging mistakes you made that hurt the other person, and it's one of the most important and neglected ingredients of most apologies, especially those in the media.

Saying something vague like, “I’m sorry if you were offended by something I said,” implies that the hurt feelings were a random reaction on the part of the other person. Saying, “When I said [the hurtful thing], I wasn’t thinking. I realize I hurt your feelings, and I’m sorry,” acknowledges that you know what it was you said that hurt the other person, and you take responsibility for it.

Don't make assumptions and don't try to shift the blame. Make it clear that you regret your actions and that you are sincerely sorry.

Express Regret

When seeking to understand how to apologize effectively, it’s also important to understand the value of expressing regret. Taking responsibility is important, but it’s also helpful for the other person to know that you feel bad about hurting them, and wish you hadn’t. That’s it. They already feel bad, and they’d like to know that you feel bad about them feeling bad.

What to Say When You Want to Apologize

• “I wish I could take it back.”
• “I wish I had been more thoughtful.”
• “I wish I’d thought of your feelings as well.”

These are all expressions of regret that add to the sincerity of your apology and let the other person know you care.

Make Amends

If there’s anything you can do to amend the situation, do it. It’s important to know how to apologize with sincerity, and part of the sincerity of an apology is a willingness to put some action into it.

If you broke something of someone’s, see if you can replace it. If you said something hurtful, say some nice things that can help to generate more positive feelings. If you broke trust, see what you can do to rebuild it.

Whatever you can do to make things better, do it. If you’re not sure what would help, ask the other person what you can do to help them to feel better.

Reaffirm Boundaries

One of the most important parts of an apology—one of the best reasons to apologize—is to reaffirm boundaries. Healthy boundaries are important in any relationship. 

When you come into conflict with someone, usually there is a boundary that is crossed. If a social rule is violated or trust is broken, an apology helps to affirm what kind of future behavior is preferred.

Discussing what type of rules you both will adhere to in the future will rebuild trust, boundaries, and positive feelings, and provides a natural segue out of the conflict, and into a happier future in the relationship.

Own Up to Your Part...Not Theirs

Remember that when you apologize, you're taking responsibility for your part of the conflict. That doesn't mean that you're admitting that the entire conflict was your fault. People are often afraid to apologize first because they think whoever apologizes first is "more wrong" or the "loser" of the conflict.

Giving an apology even when only a small part of the conflict was your responsibility is okay, and often healthy. It allows you to establish what you regret your own actions but confirms your own boundaries as well.

It's important to be fair in your apology, both to the other person and to yourself. Don't accept all the blame if it isn't all your fault.

Apologize for the Right Reasons 

When you apologize for just what you did, you can more easily move forward and put the conflict behind you, regardless of the other person's actions. When we apologize, we're able to more easily maintain the integrity and forgive ourselves.

The other person may be moved to apologize for their actions as well. While getting an apology is often nice, it is important to remember that this doesn't always happen. Trying to evoke an apology from the other person is a manipulative tactic that sometimes backfires.

Apologize for your own peace of mind and the other person may be inspired to do the same. Just don't apologize just because you expect an apology in return.

Let Go of Results...to an Extent

Although apologizing can be a way to maintain the integrity and move on from actions we're not proud of, most of us also want to repair the relationship and be forgiven. Sometimes this doesn't happen.

If the apology was sincere and included the necessary ingredients, your chances of forgiveness are greater, but sometimes the other person just isn't ready or able to forgive and move on. Or they may forgive you, but still, be guarded. Or they may not realize their own role in the conflict. Realize that you can't control their response, and if you've done everything you can, let it go for now.

A Word From Verywell

Apologies are not always easy, but that can be an important part of mending or maintaining important relationships. With empathy, an open heart, and a dose of courage, you can take the steps you need to make a sincere and honest apology.

Source: verywellmind.com

Collect by Minh Tien - Sapuwa