• About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Photo Gallery
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Citi TV
Monday, June 27, 2022
Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Showbiz
  • Coronavirus
  • Infographics
  • Livestream
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Showbiz
  • Coronavirus
  • Infographics
  • Livestream
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana
No Result
View All Result

Ten powerful ways to apologize when you’ve really messed things up

Marian AnsahbyMarian Ansah
June 8, 2019
Reading Time: 4 mins read
ShareShareShareShare

When words can’t convey, let our actions speak.

In relationships, we hurt one another. Sometimes we do it on purpose, and sometimes we had no idea that we offended our partner. Once we realize that we inflicted pain on them, whether we intend to or not, the correct thing to do is to say, “I’m sorry” and repair the damage.

But many of us don’t quite understand how to apologize, as it can feel extremely difficult, if not impossible. Saying, “I’m sorry” is hard. It makes us feel vulnerable and, in general, is a very challenging enterprise.

Before we offer an apology of any kind, we must prepare ourselves for either no response or a wide range of responses from the other person (including negative ones). Depending on the degree or nature of the hurt, it may take your partner awhile to accept your attempt at repairing the relationship. But if you’re truly sorry, be prepared for forgiveness to take some time.

If you’re unsure how to say, “I’m sorry” and apologize in a way that conveys your sincerity, here are 10 powerful ways to do so:

1. Say it with words

Say the actual words “I’m so sorry” and then add exactly what you are sorry for. Let your spouse know that you’re aware of the actions and words that caused the hurt. Name your crime specifically when you say, “I’m sorry.”

2. Say it with a look

Don’t fake remorse because doing so will likely do more damage. When you apologize, make sure you have a genuine look on your face that you really are sorry.

Saying the words but having a smirk, grin, air of indifference, or some other expression will tell your partner that you are trying to say the right thing, but you don’t mean it.

3. Say it with a touch

When you know that your partner is ready to hear the words “I’m sorry,” add a soft and gentle touch. Do NOT use a sexual touch, but, rather, a touch that communicates “I care about you, and I want you to be okay.”

4. Say it with a note

Struggle to say the right words? Try writing a note that expresses how you feel about what happened. Convey that you’re sorry, and also add a little about how you think your actions may have made your spouse feel.

Let her/him know that even if it takes some time, you want their forgiveness. Avoid trying to explain why it happened, as that may only do more damage — save that for a later time.

5. Say it with a gift

A small gift or token can help repair the damage that was done. You can give this gift with a note or when you actually say the words, “I’m sorry.”

Be careful not to overuse this method of making amends, however. You don’t want your partner to think you believe you can buy her/him off with a gift and then repeat your offensive behavior again later.

6. Say it with emotion

When a woman feels hurt, the emotions associated with that hurt get attached to the memory of that event. When something reminds her of the event, the hurt has a way of returning full force, as if the event just happened again. When you say, “I’m sorry” to her, try to do so in a way that has some emotion attached to it.

Note: Using humor is not always a good choice here. She needs to see in your face and hear in your voice (as well as through your words) that you fully understand that you hurt her, you take responsibility for it, and your hope is that you can repair the damage you’ve done.

7. Say it with an act of service

Is there a particular task that your partner wants done that you’ve been putting off? Now might be the perfect time to do it.

Don’t do this as a payoff for your crime or with the expectation that all is forgiven. Just do what you’ve neglected doing and, later, when you say, “I’m sorry,” you can let her know that part of your gift to repair what you have done is that you took care of the task you know she wanted done.

8. Say it with a sacrifice

If you know that what you did is particularly hurtful to your partner and/or if this is a repeat offense you were determined to never to do again, consider going the “extra mile.” Think of something you can do that will either be very meaningful to your partner or would get across the point that you fully recognize the negative impact of your action.

Take on a task/project that is really going to cost you something in the way of time and energy as a way of “paying for your crime.” You can let your partner know that you did this because you’re fully aware of the extent of the hurt you caused, and you want it to cost you something so that you never do it again.

9. Say it with understanding

The point here is to let your partner know you understand some of what he/she may have felt as a result of what you have done. Think through how it might have affected you, but even more, consider how you think your partner felt.

You know your partner; you know her/his life experiences. Often your partner may feel very differently about what happened than you would based on his/her life experiences, so include that information in your thought process as you prepare to share with her.

10. Say it with sex

This is definitely not the first place to go when trying to apologize. However, once you know that the damage is repairing, “make up sex” can be a great way to come back together as a couple and get back to normal living.

 

Share102TweetSendSend
Previous Post

Here are 6 ways his hands will tell you he’s the one

Next Post

Gender parity debate: Hajia Alima urges tolerance from activists

Related Posts

Audio on Demand

FamLife: Saturday, 19th March, 2022

March 19, 2022
Top Stories

Woman goes partially blind after jealous lover pours acid on her

December 29, 2021
News

Takoradi: Man shot in daylight robbery dies

April 13, 2021
Relationship

Six things all men want in a relationship

August 27, 2020
Opinion

Time and communication are great but money fuels relationships [Article]

June 1, 2020
Lifestyle

11 signs you had an emotionally abusive parent and it still affects you now

May 1, 2020
Next Post
Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama is one of the aspirants who was cleared

Gender parity debate: Hajia Alima urges tolerance from activists

TOP STORIES

TUC demands 20% Cost of Living Allowance for public sector workers

June 27, 2022

‘We’ve generated only 10% of estimated E-Levy revenue so far’ – Gabby Otchere-Darko

June 27, 2022

African countries must question theories and adopt new ideas – Ofosu-Dorte

June 27, 2022
Load More
ADVERTISEMENT
Citinewsroom – Comprehensive News in Ghana

CitiNewsroom.com is Ghana's leading news website that delivers high quality innovative, alternative news that challenges the status quo.

Archives

Download App

Download

Download

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Photo Gallery
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Citi TV

© 2021 All Rights Reserved Citi Newsroom.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Showbiz
  • Coronavirus
  • Infographics
  • Livestream
  • Videos

© 2021 All Rights Reserved Citi Newsroom.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT