How to Apologize Sincerely and Effectively

How to Apologize Sincerely and Effectively Stress Management Situational Stress Print How to Apologize More Sincerely By Elizabeth Scott, MS twitter Elizabeth Scott, MS, is a wellness coach specializing in stress management and quality of life, and the author of 8 Keys to Stress Management. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Scott, MS Updated on January 02, 2020 Elke Vogelsang/ Getty Images More in Stress Management Situational Stress Effects on Health Management Techniques Job Stress Household Stress Relationship Stress Relationships can be wonderful buffers against stress, but relationship conflicts can cause considerable emotional pain and stress. Knowing how to apologizeâ€"and whenâ€"can repair damage in a relationship, but if you dont 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 youve made a mistake or hurt another person, there are many good reasons why you should apologize. By apologizing, you are able to: Open up a line of communication with the other personExpress your regret and remorseAcknowledge that you were wrongDiscuss what is allowed and not allowed in your relationshipLearn from your mistakes and find new ways of dealing with difficult situations A sincere apology can also bring relief, particularly if you have guilt over your actions. An apology alone doesnt 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 dont apologize are that they arent really concerned about the other person, apologizing threatens their own self-image, or they believe that an apology wont 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 â€"on purpose or by accidentâ€"caused someone else hard feelings, its 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 youre 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.?? 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 its 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. Dont make assumptions and dont 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 “I wish I had been more thoughtful.” “I wish I’d thought of your feelings as well.” “I wish I could take it back.” 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 apologyâ€"one of the best reasons to apologizeâ€"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 Partâ€"Not Theirs Remember that when you apologize, youre taking responsibility for your part of the conflict. That doesnt mean that youre 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. Its important to be fair in your apology, both to the other person and to yourself. Dont accept all the blame if it isnt 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 persons actions. When we apologize, were 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 doesnt 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 dont apologize just because you expect an apology in return. Let Go of Resultsâ€"to an Extent Although apologizing can be a way to maintain the integrity and move on from actions were not proud of, most of us also want to repair the relationship and be forgiven. Sometimes this doesnt happen. If the apology was sincere and included the necessary ingredients, your chances of forgiveness are greater, but sometimes the other person just isnt 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 cant control their response, and if youve 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. How to Forgive Others