Saying sorry does more than simply remedy a past mistake – it builds a connection by showing vulnerability and honesty.
Everyone has bad days, and sometimes we take it out on people we don’t even know. If in a moment of frustration or tiredness you find yourself doing this, be courageous and try to go back and apologise. I’ve returned to banks, shops and cafés lots of times to say sorry to people I was rude to and it made both me and the person I apologised to feel so much better! Finding the strength to apologise is especially important when it comes to our loved ones – the people we are closest to often bear the brunt of our negative emotions, but saying sorry will help to repair and rebuild.
The best apologies include accepting responsibility for what you did, and offering to make amends, according to research by Ohio State University. So when you apologise make it genuine by admitting you were wrong and avoid shifting the blame or making excuses – it’s the difference between ‘I’m sorry, I was wrong’ and ‘I’m sorry, but …’
