What to Look for in a Sincere Apology

Apologies can be difficult for us sometimes. It can be hard to know what to say, to put our insecurities to the side, and to communicate effectively. Because we often have difficulty knowing what we should put in an apology, it can be hard to figure out if we are receiving a sincere apology.

So, What Should An Apology Look Like?

When we start an apology, we first want to acknowledge what we did wrong and name it. Take responsibility for your actions in a clear and concise manner, owning up to your parts. Keep your explanation brief because the goal of the apology is to take ownership, not justify yourself. If a boundary was pushed, discuss what is and is not acceptable, and reiterate what the issue was. Above all, you should be empathetic with your apology, express regret and remorse for what was said or done.

An apology should be made for the right reasons. The goal should not be to push for a result, like ending a fight or getting an apology in return. It should be for taking accountability, expressing remorse, and working to regain forgiveness and trust.

One of the big takeaways from apologizing is the ability to learn from past mistakes. No one should repeatedly be apologizing for the same thing over and over again. After a while, no matter how sincere the apology seems, there is an apparent lack of…