Is Reluctance to Say “Sorry” Eroding Trust in Your Relationship?
Is the fear of vulnerability preventing you from uttering the word that could mend what’s broken?
Yes, I am talking about the 5-letter word–sorry.
Oftentimes, I hear people casually joke that they’d prefer enduring the excruciating ordeal of a root canal than making a simple apology. It makes me wonder if there’s some sort of “Avoiding Apologies 101” course somewhere, where a dental chair seems to be more appealing. Heck, do they not know expressing remorse is a painless dental procedure as no drills required? Pun intended.
If you’re a part of Generation X or were raised by Gen X parents, you might be familiar with one of Chicago’s top hits, pleading for a girl to stay while justifying that saying sorry is simply a difficult task. The song resonated with many, as people often anticipate sympathy for the challenge of saying sorry rather than introspectively questioning why uttering this 5-letter word is so darn difficult.
One most common misconception people have about apologies is that admitting wrongdoing makes them appear weak or inferior, posing a threat to their self-esteem and ego. Indeed, saying sorry, requires a high level of emotional vulnerability.
