Best Ways to Apologize When I Am Sorry Doesn’t Work
Sometimes we say and do things we don’t mean and then regret later. As much as we never intend to hurt the other person, we must express our apology to them if they get hurt by our words or actions. But when relationships get sour, a simple “sorry” doesn’t work. It’s not easy to break ties, but if you genuinely regret your actions and the person means a lot to you, then everything is worth bringing back the spark in your relationship.
So, if you have screwed up things pretty bad this time and the three magic words “I am sorry” hold no more power over the one you hurt, then don’t worry. We have mentioned the best ways to apologize when things are going downhill.
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What To Do?
Misunderstandings and lack of communication are natural when you are close to a person. But it is also necessary to heal the wounds in your relationships; otherwise, if left uncleared for a long time, the connection gets irreparably broken.
Saying sorry has become a convention, and it has been tossed around several times every day in a person’s life. So, how do you measure the scope of this word? If a person steps on your foot and says that they are sorry, it is acceptable, but when someone breaks your heart, then “sorry” definitely won’t suffice. The one you hurt wouldn’t be sure that you apologize as a reflex action or actually regret what you did.
Let Things Cool
When you offend someone, it is anticipated that they will become over-sensitive and confused about their feelings for you. In such situations, you should give them some time. It will distract them, and the problem will cool off a little.
If you say something right when they are already frustrated it can be the last straw and make things worse.
Avoid Words and Use Gestures
Words and more words in a panic situation can cause a great deal of confusion. Overuse of the word ‘sorry’ and its synonyms will only add up to disappointment. Instead of saying anything, you can make a sweet gesture or gift something symbolic of your love and respect for them. Actions instead of words will prevent further mistakes, and you can tell them how important they are in your life.
While selecting the gift, make a thoughtful decision. Brainstorm everything they might need, have on their bucket list for a long time, or something they recently ran out of. This way, you can show them how much you care for them. Well, you cannot bribe them simply with lavish gifts, but they are a good substitute for “sorry”.
Send the gifts with a note of heartfelt apology, expressing how much you want to sort things out. And a resolution that this will never be repeated.
Own your Faults
Don’t hold back your emotions. If you feel guilty, let them know that you genuinely regret your actions. Your mental well-being needs to reflect on your actions and come to a proper conclusion. Sometimes it seems that you were not the only person at fault, you were motivated by someone’s actions, and your wrongdoings were just consequences, so you would like to believe that it was not wholly your fault.
Owning up your fault to yourself and others is the traditional and best way to apologize and permanently relieve you from stress. But rather than blaming others for what you did, it’s always better to take control of your actions. You cannot possibly control what others did or do. But you can always control your own words and actions. When you start looking for your own mistakes, it gets easy to solve a problem. If you look for fault in other people, you lose all control over the situation, and it might never get better.
But when you know and admit your shortcomings, you have the power to take action to mend broken relationships. And once you accept your faults, the other person might forgive you and realize their own mistakes with time.
Don’t Get Defensive
Getting defensive is a natural behavior and an act of saving oneself from the emotions we are not comfortable with, which is why we usually run away from them. Well, these could be guilt, sadness, and shame, to name a few. And, in turn, end up hurting the other person. When apologizing to someone, stay far away from the fear of judgment. The act of apologizing takes courage, and it will only reflect that you are a solid person who owns up to your mistakes and is ready to correct your behavior in the future. If you sound defensive in your apology, no matter how unique and touching your note or gift is, it will never be enough for the person, and it might even ruin everything in the future.
Pretending that you are sorry but not “too” sorry so that they don’t think of you as some goofball will never work. In turn, it will only make everything worse, and you might not even get another chance to say it. So, get rid of your fear of judgment, confront your loved one with an open mind and win their heart.
Make a Resolve
When you have committed a mistake and want acceptance from others, the most important thing is to convince them that you won’t repeat the mistakes. It is not only the best way to apologize, but it will also restore your dignity and give you the power to right what you did wrong. For instance, if you did something wrong at your workplace, merely saying, “I am sorry” won’t work. Instead, it might make you look weak and helpless about your situation. But take responsibility for your actions and accept what you did was wrong, with immediate resolve that you will never repeat the same mistake. You will get the upper hand, and you will be instantly forgiven for your fault.
“To err is human”. Naturally, we make mistakes. But it is essential to learn from them. If we have the conviction that we will improve our faults, then make others believe in you as well.
There is nothing wrong with giving explanations
You don’t have to stop yourself from describing your actions. It is only reasonable that the other person knows why you did what you did. Explaining yourself could be the best way of apologizing if your actions were caused due to some issues that they were not aware of earlier. It will help reduce the bitterness and give them something to think about your situation. They might not want to listen immediately or everything at once, so take it slow. Otherwise, it would have a negative impact, and they would think that it is all a facade. However, don’t make these your excuses. It should not look like you are trying to save yourself. So, be patient while handing out your explanations. Let them know that you understand what happened wrong, and take all the responsibility. If they don’t want to hear, then save them for later.
Acknowledge Their Feelings
When you apologize to someone, give credit to their emotions. Don’t forget to tell them that you realize how they must have felt about whatever happened. Express to them that you feel sorry to have caused them pain, and you understand that they had to go through a lot because of your actions. It will ensure that you value their emotions. And you don’t have a complete disregard for their feelings.
Even when you know in your heart that your actions must have been very hurtful and caused them a great deal of pain, you must make sure that they know that you understand. It will surely improve your bond and give you a chance to start fresh.
Send Beautiful Flowers
Flowers are the best symbols to reflect your love and care for someone. Nothing can go wrong with flowers. If you want to add some weight to your “sorry note” then, send them fresh and lovely. It would be the best way of apologizing without a doubt. UAE Flowers is your one-stop flower destination to send flowers to your loved ones anywhere across the UAE. It is the best online flower shop to take care of you and your loved ones. You can order from our dynamic range of exotic flowers at affordable prices, and we will deliver them to the mentioned address on the same day. If you fear that your apology can’t wait and it will be too late if you don’t send them something today, then don’t worry, we have got you covered.
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