Sorry not sorry but, the phrase “sorry” is too overused, overrated, and over-demanded. We are always apologizing and others are always demanding apologies. Let’s face it, we don’t mean like 95% of the sorries we say. Sorry is a quick-fix. A slapped on band aid. It is no longer real, it no longer feels real. We use the term to end crude fights that would otherwise go on forever if someone wouldn’t cave in. We use it to soften the blow of unrequited love. We use it to apologize to randos who’ve bumped into us. It can be used in many ways however, what does it even mean anymore? Are we really sorry? Or is it just a guilt-induced habit? Are we saying sorry to keep the peace? Or are we only saying it to get others off our back? Whatever reason there might be, it has become the phrase that begs others to excuse us for trying, caring, and/or existing.
I realize that a lot of us have learned that saying sorry is a very handy word to use when being polite. However, it’s very important to know that you can be polite without being sorry. A more pleasant alternative to sorry is always saying please or thank-you.
I’m not trying to make the argument to completely irradiate the word sorry from anyone’s vocabulary. That is not my intention. My side of the argument is simply that sorry shouldn’t be used when you’re fed up or when it is not applicable. Examples of situations like this lie most notably within the hashtag #sorrynotsorry. (Excluding anything that uses the hashtag as an excuse to bully others). The hashtag is used passively-aggressively to address an issue that upsets someone. You should know, however, that if something bothers you because it’s unfair or uncool you shouldn’t be sorry. Once you say you’re sorry then you’re excusing your opinion from being taken seriously. You need to liberate yourself from the suffocating implications of sorry. If you’re angry because you feel like you’re being undervalued, then you’re allowed to be angry. You are not required to justify your opinions, feelings, or thoughts with sorries. So long as you respect other people’s opinions by kindly disagreeing, were applicable.
For a dosage of confidence consider the “Not Sorry #ShineStrong” Pantene campaign, which was one of my favorite beauty marketing campaigns of 2014. The video aims to encourage women to be more confident in their actions and to not feel the need to apologize so much.
We’ve all fallen victim to blurting “sorry” and not meaning it. And, that’s okay. We are all just trying to figure it out. However, we should have the liberty to be able to figure it out without always feeling guilty. Let’s just enjoy ourselves and others. Know that if you are happy and some grump is raining on your parade then, you are not required to be sorry for annoying said grump. Leave the sorries to the dramatic parts in our lives were we need might need redemption. And, just seize the day.
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