Please stop apologising.
Stop apologising for things you didn’t do wrong. Stop apologising for who you are.
Stop apologising when asking for something you need. Stop apologising for other people. Stop apologising when someone else is in the wrong. If someone bumps into YOU in the shopping centre, don’t apologise…smile and tell them it’s okay if they say sorry. Don’t apologise for asking a favour of someone, you are allowed to receive. You are worthy of help and support. Just express your gratitude and return the favour when the time comes but please don’t apologise for asking.
Do not apologise for taking care of yourself and putting yourself first sometimes. Do not apologise when asking someone to fix up their bill or pay whatever debts they owe.
Do. not. apologise. for. eating.
If you want seconds, go for seconds without saying “I’m so sorry, I’m so hungry today I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” Do not apologise when you need to take a break to stop and rest at anytime. Do not apologise for being sick. Do not apologise for needing to go to the toilet. Do not apologise for needing sleep. Basic human needs do not require an apology.
Do not apologise for being “too loud” or “too quiet”. Do not apologise for speaking up. Do not apologise for having a voice or an opinion. Do not apologise for your successes or good fortune. You don’t have to be arrogant when it comes to your achievements but you certainly do not have to apologise for them! Be proud of yourself!
Do not apologise for your body or for what you’re wearing. Do not apologise for your career choice or your hobbies or how you choose to spend your time. Do not apologise for laughing too loud, do not apologise for crying too much.
Stop apologising for being busy or not having the time for someone or something. You are not at everyone’s beck and call, your time is precious.
Most importantly, please please please stop apologising for how you feel! Your feelings are valid and important and they deserve to be heard. As they say “The sun doesn’t apologise for being the sun. The rain doesn’t say sorry for falling. Feelings just are.”
Apologise when you make a mistake or when you hurt someone but never apologise for being who you are and never apologise to someone who should be apologising to you.
You deserve to take up space, you deserve to be heard, you deserve to be true.
