Ownership vs. Over-apologizing

Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between taking ownership for something vs. over-apologizing for something.

Often, over-apologizing comes from a place of shame. Feeling the need to go above and beyond to ensure no one is mad or inconvenienced can stem from anxiety or fear in our own hearts. Perhaps it comes from a place of feeling not good enough or feeling unlovable or unsafe, but it can fester into a compulsive need to fix problems that aren't yours to be fixed. Over-apologizing inherits responsibility that really belongs to someone else.

Taking ownership looks much different. Making a mistake or hurting someone requires that we take ownership to fix it. But taking ownership does not mean that we avoid all conflict or blur our own boundaries to ensure someone else isn’t angry with us. We can be sorry for something we have done without being sorry for who we are.

Have you ever noticed this pattern in your own life? Are there subjects or certain people in which you find yourself over-apologizing rather than just taking ownership? Let us help you sort this out! Head to the book an appointment tab and set something up today!