Signs Of A Bad Apology
Sometimes we fuck up, it happens to everyone..Sometimes we fuck up so bad there needs to be a public apology. There have been some appalling apologies and there will definitely be some more so here are a few signs of a bad apology.
1. Youâre only apologizing for forgiveness: You need to very carefully reflect on your actions and why and how they upset people when issuing an apology. Are you embarrassed of your behavior? Did you hurt people you care about? Â Are you receiving unwanted attention as a consequence for your actions? Why? Lastly are you apologizing to resolve the problem and the consequences at once? A sure sign you are only apologizing for forgiveness is not being prepared/understanding if an apology is rejected and or your actions unforgiven.Â
2. âIâm sorry if you felt that (way)â: If youâre including this in an apology youâre implying that the person youâre apologizing to possibly overreacted when taking offense to your actions,and that there was nothing wrong with the actions warranting the apology in the first place.When you use phrases like this you are putting the blame on people you have hurt.Â
3. Youâre not taking responsibility: Itâs important that you actively take responsibility for your actions when apologizing. You can explain your emotions during your actions, but should not attempt to justify or excuse them in any way if you are apologizing sincerely. You need to accept personal responsibility and not shift the blame on anyone but yourself. âIâm sorry ____,that I did _____â Accept fault and responsibility for your actions you guys. Address who you are speaking to and what you have done.Â
4. Your apology is an explanation: Â If your apology is just a long paragraph of why you did what you did, it is not an apology and can even be taken as an attempt to justify your actions by the receiving party. If you are in the wrong just admit to being in the wrong.Â
5. âIâm sorry for what I did, butâ: Donât do it please see above.Â
6. Your Apology wasnât meant to be replied to: All great apologies involve conversation between yourself and the people you are apologizing to. You cannot write out an apology and then imply that this is the last you want to hear of the topic or your actions. You will always have to take responsibility for what you have done, and you will have to listen to and accept what the person you are apologizing to has to say in return. Again, if you are not ready for your apology to be rejected or your actions unforgiven, and then react badly to this-you are not apologizing because you are sorry. You are only trying to placate those you offended.Â
PS: When it comes to apologies you are not apologizing to cope with what you did, you cannot forgive yourself..and then move on thatâs not how apologies work. If you are issuing an apology and ignoring the other party because you apologized (and therefore it doesnât matter to you anymore) youâre being very inconsiderate, selfish, and you are not sorry at all.Â
7. Youâre only apologizing because youâre being prompted to. Not because you mean it: If youâre only apologizing because you feel obligated to and not because youâre actually sorry your apology is shitty by default. Itâs not sincere, you wonât learn from your actions, you donât care.Â
8. Youâre apologizing for your entire existence and not your specific actions: Â While making a mistake might feel like the end of the world to some of us, itâs not. Apologize specifically for what you did, not for living. That wonât make your apology a true apology, only an attempt to illicit forgiveness through guilt.Â
9. Â You at any point in your apology shift blame to the other party: You cannot apologize and then tell someone that they should have handled your emotions/reactions better. Do not victimize yourself in your apology. Do not try to get the other party to sympathize with you in order to get them to understand where you were coming from when you made your mistake. Do not refuse to take responsibility/fault in the situation if you are apologizing.Â
10. You make no attempt to change your behavior or make amends: If your apology is true, sincere, Â you will do your best to change and learn from your mistakes. Your apology by no means excuses your past actions nor sweeps them under a rug never to be brought up again.Â















