Hello, It’s Monday and as promised I am here and you are here so let’s get this conversation going.

“I’m sorry” is a phrase that is regularly over used and misused. If you’re guilty of misusing “I’m sorry” then read till the end but before that you might want to first read my last article : Stop saying “sorry” way too much.

🌻Choose empathy over sympathy :

In life we have two choices, to be sympathetic or empathetic.

Being empathetic is the way to go. When you show empathy you show that you know how that feels like and you are here to share the pain. Empathy focuses on connection and relating to a situation rather than standing there all like “oh, you poor thing”

When your friend tells you that her favourite water park closed down :

Instead of : “They closed down!! I’m so sorry, I’m really sorry”

Say : “Wild Waters closed down!! That was your favourite water park, you must be devastated”

The second option focuses on your friend and her feelings rather than your meaningless apology. You are really showing your empathetic side as you show that you know how she probably feels.

🌻Show gratitude :

When you feel like you’re bothering someone or you’re being a burden it’s so easily to apologise unnecessarily.

When you’re sick and your friend is stuck taking care of you on a Friday night it’s so easy to apologise for the inconvenience. You probably mean well with that apology but it’s not doing any of you any good.

Instead of : “I’m sorry Anne that you’re stuck taking care of me.“

Say : “Thank you so much Anne for taking care of me.”

Instead of : “I’m sorry I’m late.”

Say : “Thank you for waiting.”

Swapping sorry for thank you makes a whole lot of difference.

🌻To interrupt :

When we feel like we’re interrupting something or we need to get somebody’s attention the first word that slips out is “sorry”

Instead of :

“Sorry Miss, you forgot your bag”

“I’m so sorry to bother you but I think I have a solution to all our problems.”

“OMG… This is such a bad idea, I’m sorry to waste your time but I was thinking that…”

Say :

“Excuse Miss, you forgot your bag.”

“Is this a good time??(*wait for response*)… I think I have a solution to all our problems.”

“I have an idea to pitch. I think that we should…”

🌻Don’t say it if you don’t mean it :

Don’t apologise if you don’t mean it.

“Sorry is meaningless unless it’s backed up by actions”

Thank you so much for reading. I love you so much❤️❤️❤️