The fine art of apologising

Why saying sorry is an act of courage and not a sign of weakness

- ELEANOR CRIPPS

There’s a saying, “Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get sick”. The same goes for holding onto a grudge or not apologising for something you did wrong. Ignoring feelings of guilt might seem like the easier option, but until we apologise, they will always be there, festering inside us, affecting how we go about our daily lives.

Even when you know what you said or did was wrong, why can it be so difficult to admit it? The truth is, apologising takes courage. It puts us in a vulnerable position, opening us up to embarrassment and shame. It’s no wonder we try to avoid these emotions by doing nothing at all.

But how about if an apology was considered the first option rather than a sheepish last resort? It’s time to change our perception of apologies. Rather than a sign of weakness, saying sorry can be the ultimate example of confidence, transparency, and accountability. Can you already feel the lightness in how this makes you feel?