honestly apologizing is a skill few people have cultivated

1. Do not minimize your culpability or your impact
“Sorry if I hurt you” WRONG
“I know I hurt you but that wasnt my intention” WRONG
“I did x, and I understand now that I hurt you” OK
“The way I acted was immature and selfish” OK

2. Be kind, do not center yourself and focus on the person you are addressing
“I am better than this” WRONG
“I dont know what to tell you” WRONG
“I value our friendship deeply, and admire you” OK

3. Do not make unrealistic promises or grand proclamations- it’s manipulative
“I love you so much and will never hurt you again” WRONG
“You deserve so much better than me, and I will be better” WRONG
“I will be more thoughtful and wont bail on you with no warning again” OK

4. DO NOT expect them to accept your apology
“So are we good now?” WRONG
“I apologized so why are you still mad?” WRONG
“I love you and we will be together forever” WRONG
“I understand if you need a break or do not want to see me anymore” OK
“I understand if you need space” OK

All advice is contextual to transgression but always applies tbh! From being extremely late to an agreed outing, to letting a mean comment slip, or even just a tone issue go ahead and apologize! Do it without pride and be kind!

Bumping this thread to add this link @DaShaunLH shared on apology languages! http://www.5lovelanguages.com/profile/apology/