They assign blame to others, make up justifications, and list all the circumstances that led to their actions. Apologizing can also be hampered by a lack of empathy or consideration for the other person’s relationship. Saying sorry in a variety of circumstances, from inadvertently running into a stranger in a packed bar to disparaging your best friend’s whole life choices, just requires following a few easy steps that are easily replicable. However, there is no formula that can be followed to ensure a successful apology: It’s really sincere. Listening to the person or individuals you have harmed is the first step. This is not about you, but about their feelings and experience. They’re roughly arranged by to significance. Not that listening isn’t necessary at all, but occasionally the person you’ve harmed might not want to talk to you after they hear you apologize. You can change each element to match the sincerity of the apology. You don’t have to justify your actions to improve yourself after unintentionally robbing your neighbor of their garbage can. Still, you should demonstrate that you get why it is unhealthy to strike a wall when you are angry.
