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Health and Wellness

Let's Stop Apologizing For Being Ourselves

Why is our knee-jerk response is, "I'm sorry?"

katieshannon

Sep 14, 2018

West Chester University

212

Katie Shannon

Let's stop apologizing.

Why is it a routine thing to say, "I'm sorry," for things that we shouldn't be apologetic for? I have to catch it out before I finish my sentence nowadays because I have realized that 8/10 times I say it, I shouldn't have to.

I shouldn't have to apologize for how I want to dress. I shouldn't have to apologize for being a bookworm.
I shouldn't have to apologize for how my body looks in an outfit and whether it is approved by the girls in class or the boys at the party.
I shouldn't have to apologize for trying to be the best version of myself for you, because I was not enough in your eyes.
I shouldn't have to apologize for wanting to curse.
I shouldn't have to apologize for "being in the way" or say "excuse me" when I am not in the way.

I shouldn't have to apologize for wanting to go down a different path than those around me.

I shouldn't have to apologize for wanting to go out. I shouldn't have to apologize for wanting to stay in.
I shouldn't have to apologize for earning what I gain through my hard work.
I shouldn't have to apologize for not getting it on the first try. I shouldn't have to apologize for not being skinny enough.
I shouldn't have to apologize for not getting the best grades or the highest GPA standing.
I shouldn't have to apologize for wanting help. I shouldn't have to apologize for mistakes you won't hold accountability for.
I shouldn't have to apologize for wearing makeup that I want to.
I shouldn't have to apologize for not wearing makeup.
I shouldn't have to apologize for showing cleavage when I want to.
I shouldn't have to apologize for you bumping into me so carelessly.

I shouldn't have to apologize for trying my best and yet those never make me feel like I'm enough.

I shouldn't have to apologize for not being the best relation to. I shouldn't have to apologize for wearing a tight dress.
I shouldn't have to apologize for wearing baggy clothes that are comfortable.
I shouldn't have to apologize for not always being happy. I shouldn't have to apologize for letting myself be sad.
I shouldn't have to apologize for wanting to be social.
I shouldn't have to apologize for needing to take off of classes one day for my mental health.
I shouldn't have to apologize for not wanting to be friends with someone that is not good for me.
I shouldn't have to apologize for wanting to be included and for being hurt for being left out.
I shouldn't have to apologize for standing for what I believe is right when you'd rather stick to ignorance.
I shouldn't have to apologize for wanting to get and feel better.
I shouldn't have to apologize for wanting to be alone for a while.
I shouldn't have to apologize for not having "the look" for peers around me.
I shouldn't have to apologize for having a "resting bitch rest" because I am not smiling every second.
I shouldn't have to apologize for smiling and laughing a lot, because it is "too much for you."
I shouldn't have to apologize for everything I apologize for.

I shouldn't have to apologize.

Yet I apologize for every damn thing on the list.

Why?

Because I feel obligated to do so. Yet, there is no reason to be sorry. Just be unapologetically you.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Let's Stop Apologizing For Being Ourselves

Why is our knee-jerk response is, "I'm sorry?"

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#Adulting is hard.

1. Taking care of yourself when you're sick

2. Making a to-do list

3. Planning your activities around the weather

4. Scheduling your own doctor’s appointments

5. Getting your own toilet paper

6. Making food without needing to ask your mom questions

7. Holding your tongue

8. Saving your paycheck (or your tax refund) to pay your bills

9. Balancing your checkbook

10. Going places alone

11. Packing your own lunches

12. Actually eating your vegetables...on purpose

13. Taking a multivitamin

14. Planning a life after graduation

Sometimes bigger isn't always better.

1. If something happens, everyone knows about it

2. Never getting to be invisible

3. Knowing every single thing about every single person in the town

4. New kids are a big deal

5. It’s hard to make new friends

6. On that note ... the dating pool is even smaller!

7. Teachers are weirdly close to their students

8. It forced you to make friends out of school

"I'm hopeless and awkward and desperate for love"

1. That Time He Tested Out His Flirting Skills and This Happened

2. When He Was Willing to Do Anything to Avoid Confrontation

3. When He Couldn't Handle Awkward, Emotional Situations

4. How He Reacted Whenever His Friends Ignored Him

5. All of the Times He Worried About His Failing Love Life

6. Whenever He Tried to Whip Himself Into Shape

7. How He Handled New People and New Experiences

8. Whenever His Friends Got Annoying, He Was Always the Voice of Reason

9. He Always Knew How to Jam

10. He Finds a Way to Make Any Situation More Fun

No, I can't help you.

1. When a customer wants to return a product, hands you the receipt, where is printed "ALL SALES ARE FINAL" in all caps.

2. Just because you might be having a bad day, and you're in a crappy mood, doesn't make it okay for you to yell at me or be rude to me. I'm a person with feelings, just like you.

3. People refusing to be put on hold when a customer is standing right in front of you. Oh, how I wish I could just hang up on you!

4. Having the same conversations over and over again! To be honest I really don't even want to talk to you right now, or have this fake ass smile on my face!

5. Always having to have a smile on your face. I promise I'm not as happy as I may look!

6. Customers not understanding that sometimes, mistakes happen. I am a human being, we all mess up sometimes!

7. Having the boss from hell, it's their way or the highway! Even though I did my job correctly and efficiently, if I don't do it the exact way you do, I'm a piece of shit.

8. Having coworker who don't help out, who bend the rules just enough to screw you over.

9. Having to be at work after closing because a customer is taking forever and half! Not like I'd like to go home or anything!

10. Having shitty hours and more shifts than you asked for. Just because we don't have enough workers, doesn't mean I want to pick up every shift that you cant cover, oh great boss of mine!

11. Not having time for a social life. It gets old saying, "I can't I have work..." Every day of the week!

12. Having that lazy costumer who can't do anything for themselves... no please I'll get that, it's no problem at all!

It's just my face, I swear.

1. When you meet new people, they automatically assume you hate them or are rude.

2. People are constantly asking you if you're OK.

3. After being friends with someone for a while, they confess to you, "I thought you were so mean when I first met you," or, "I thought you hated me."

4. You get told to smile more, but they don't understand how scary that would be.

5. You're always labeled as seeming "judgy."

6. Passing a friend with your RBF in full force and not realizing you just shot them a death glare.

7. Being sarcastic, but everyone thinks you're outright rude.

8. Not knowing how mean you really look until you see a picture of yourself in resting face.

9. Your apologies never sound sincere because of your emotionless face.

10. Your "mad face" scares you.

11. And, lastly, people are constantly asking you if you are happy or having a good time because you look bored to death.

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