I don’t know about the rest of the world but here in Britain, we are known for notoriously apologising. Starting our sentences with, “Sorry but…”, even inanimate objects – you name it, we’ve apologied for it. Often, for absolutely no reason what-so-ever. I am guilty of this for sure – I apologise for breathing sometimes but why do we feel the need to apologise relentlessly for things we do not need to be sorry for? Whoever you are and wherever you are in the world, here are 7 things you never, ever have to apologise for (even though you and I both know we do)
1. Not stopping to talk to neighbours. We’re busy. They get it. My parents even go as far as not leaving the house if the neighbours are outside because they don’t want to ‘get stuck talking to them‘. Then when I suggest, “well why don’t you just say hello but you’ve gotta shoot off” they say, “no we can’t do that it’s rude”. Is it? Not really.
2. Not going somewhere. Yes, it’s polite to apologise if you’ve been invited somewhere and can’t make it for any reason – sometimes – but don’t feel bad for it. Ill? Don’t feel bad. Already busy? Don’t feel bad. Just generally can’t be bothered and would rather spend the evening curled up with a pizza and watching Netflix? Don’t feel bad. You rock those pjyamas and don’t you bare feel overly apologetic for it.
3. Making your way through a crowd. “Sorry, can I just, excuse me, I’m sorry but can I… Oops, sorry”, sound familiar? Why do we insist on apologising for trying to get somewhere? Why don’t we just say “excuse me can I get through there please”, and be done with it? Why is it our fault that other people are blocking our path? Why!
4. When you’re literally helping someone out. Imagine the scenario: Someone drops something on the floor. You seem them drop it, go to pick it up and hand it back to them. On approaching the owner of the dropped item you start your conversation with, “Sorry but you dropped your wallet“. What is that. What. Is. That.
5. Not having the exact right amount of money to pay for something. Why do we apologise when we don’t have the correct change? To a shop assistant / someone who we are literally giving our money to? Who’s literal job is to give us change? Why are we like this? What happened to make us so notoriously apologetic?
6. Starting every email with “sorry for the late reply”. I mean yes, sometimes this MAY warrant an apology if you’re emailing like the Queen or something but people are busy. All human beings are busy. The person on the other end of your email is busy. Explain to them that you’ve been busy but don’t apologise for it.
7. Having a life. I see this one in blogging so much and I touched on it in my post about blogging affirmations and on a slightly more serious note than the others, you do not need to apologise for having a life, being busy, taking you time or just needing a time out. The amount of bloggers I see apologising for not being online or not posting is actually quite sad because girl you do not owe anyone anything – most of all an apology. So do you. If you’re busy, your readers will just have to put up with it. If you need time away from blogging for personal reasons, then you take as long as you damn well need and don’t for a second type the word, “sorry“.
[…] for any minor inconvenience but I think that needs to stop – I even wrote a blog post on things we need to stop apologising for last year – and apologising for your mental health is never, ever necessary. Do not apologise […]
Haha loved this 👌
[…] by Yann Martel How Books and Book Blogging Saved Me Embracing Formula 1 History at Donington Museum 7 Things We All Need to Stop Apologising For Why I Will (Probably) Never Become a […]
Nice one…i think majority are used to these. Even, due to its wide application, the crowd expects a sorry from you which is quite sad… All the same, I will see to putting it to a test.
I must admit to been at the other side of been giving say £20 for a 99p item, as yesterday I ran out of £5, £1,20p, 50p, so I understand someone saying sorry for that. otherwise I do the others too.
Ah fair enough! That can be annoying!
I’m so bad for this! One thing I always do is say sorry when people walk into me or run my foot over or something. Which makes no sense!
Hahaha I understand that! I think we’ve all apologised for something that’s not been our fault AT ALL xo
Making a real effort not to do it now!
Oh my gosh, reading through this list I know I’ve said sorry for all these reasons and more! That’s so bad. I really overuse the word “sorry.” I think all us Brits do, though, and I don’t know why?! Great post – really enjoyed reading your list!
Thank you (: it’s a very British thing isn’t it?
Another great post, Jenny! I am loving your Blogtober entries. I think women find themselves apologising a lot for things they don’t need to. It’s something I’ve been trying to call myself out on more.
Thank you so much (: I agree – I think women do apologise a hell of a lot more and I don’t know why. I saw a video on Facebook a little while ago which demonstrated some of the things women apologise for, for example, there was a woman at work and she started a sentence to someone with, “I’m sorry but here’s…” which was totally unnecessary and I know I do things like that myself.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Every single one of those I was thinking yes, that’s so me!! Great post and so very true! Thanks for sharing these!
http://www.twentysomethingmuddle.com
You’re very welcome I’m glad you enjoyed the post (: xo
I wasn’t too sure about the emails, especially if someone needs an urgent reply, but I definitely understand. I would still apologize. That’s just me but everything else I am definitely guilty of, and what’s funny is I ask myself immediately after why did I just apologize.
If it’s an urgent email then yeah, fair enough. But if it’s not urgent and/or life threatening then people can wait if the other person is busy!
Definitely true!
This is a great post! Had me giggling!
Thank you! (: xo
Couldn’t agree with you more! Great blog girlfriend! xo
Thank you (: xo
This is wonderful. Thank you. ♡
Thank you! (: xo
I am so guilty of starting emails with I’m sorry as you probably know lol, if I don’t reply within an hour I’m beating myself up .. what’s all that about!!? xx
I challenge you to NEVER apologise to me in an email again! If you can do it until Christmas, I’ll give you a free advertising slot in January 😉 xx
Ah, I love a challenge! I will try my very best & thank you 🙂 xx
Love love love this! I need to stop saying sorry as much too, because it devalues the word and why you use it if it’s taken out of context or used inappropriately! Thanks for posting this :’)
It absolutely does devalue the word! Very good point (: xo
I think I apologise when struggling through crowds because shouting ” move bitch, get out my way” is frowned upon. But I will stop that now.
Hahahahah!
I agree with your points completely! It’s crazy how many times I unnecessarily say sorry 😅
It’s ridiculous isn’t it?! 🙄
Great points! I think the main reason I say “sorry” while walking through crowds is because I seem to also being walking into people while I do that. So it’s more an apology for bumping them than for asking them to move. :p
And so much yes to the blogging one! Unless you disappear for half a century, many of your followers will think nothing of it if you take a little break. Most of them have real lives too. 😉
Yeah I suppose if you literally do walk into someone then it’s fair enough I mean more so if you’re just asking them to move (: xo