NOT Sorry: 5 Reasons To Stop Apologizing For Every Little Thing

In the English language, filler words are commonly used in conversation. Words such as “like” or “um” are often abused and automatically placed into everyday conversation without even realizing it.  These words serve no purpose and they tend to make us seem nervous, forgetful, or confused. However, there’s another word that we often use as a filler word without even knowing. That word is “sorry”. Although apologies serve a significant purpose in the right circumstances, it’s also used far too often – many times when it’s not even necessary. Although it’s appropriate for certain occasions, it shouldn’t be abused in everyday life, or else it will use its sentiment. Here’s why you need to stop saying “sorry” so much.

  1. It’s annoying. “Sorry” has likely become a common feature of your vocabulary. It’s usually the first thing you say if you’re even a minute late with meeting up with a friend or you do something you worry will disappoint someone else (even if it wasn’t your responsibility to begin with).  It just comes out like verbal diarrhea. However, when you hear someone say sorry too much, it gets old and annoying really quickly. No one needs to apologize all the time, so stop.
  2. It makes you seem weak or guilty. When you say sorry too often, you usually assume that you’ve done something wrong and you immediately feel the need to apologize for it. But you can’t blame yourself for everything. You’re a human being, after all. Mistakes happen, and if we say sorry for every mistake we have ever made made, we’d never talk about anything else.
  3. If it’s not your fault, it’s completely unnecessary. If whatever happened was a complete accident and you had no intention of hurting or offending someone else, then what are you saying sorry for?  You’ll get over it and so will they. That’s life. Don’t be so hard on yourself.
  4. It devalues the meaning. If you’ve been dating your boyfriend for only two weeks and he’s already saying “I love you” five times a day, then there’s seriously something wrong. You begin to question the value of his words and wonder if he just says it to every girl he dates. Similarly, when you say sorry too quickly or too often, it devalues its meaning and makes you look like you just say it for no reason. Save the apology for the times when it’s really needed.
  5. There’s probably an alternative word or phrase you can use. Stop and think before you open your mouth. Ask yourself, “Why am I saying sorry?” Think of a more appropriate response that you can give before automatically apologizing. If you stepped on someone’s foot or you’re sincerely hurt someone’s feelings, then by all means, you should probably apologize. But if you’re saying it because you can’t think of anything better to say, then that’s not a good enough reason.

Think twice before immediately apologizing for something.  Although it may seem like you’re trying to be polite, it can also be interpreted differently by other people. There’s no reason you should say sorry for everything. You’re only human.

Lindsey is a Digital Advertising Professional and Freelance Writer based in New York City. In her spare time, she enjoys running, traveling, and drinking ridiculous amounts of coffee. Follow her on Twitter @lindseyruns
close-link
close-link
close-link