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Esther Perel's Blog - The Power of Apologizing: Relearn How to Say “I’m Sorry”

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A strong, meaningful apology goes a long way in repairing major and minor rifts in any relationship. Intellectually, we know this. Apologizing is one of the first relationship skills we learn as young children. But it’s a skill that needs to grow with us. When we first learn to apologize, we often do it because we are told we need to—apologize to your brother for taking his toy. Say you’re sorry to your classmate for not including them in the game. The other child is told to reply I forgive you. There is a clear outcome of this dance: repair in the service of getting back to what matters—play. ‍ This knowledge becomes less obvious as we get older, more layered with complexity. We forget how much we need play and connection—how much we love it—and how apologizing can lead us back to it. Instead, we cling to our position. We convince ourselves that apologizing means admitting defeat. Or that, no matter how much we apologize, we’ll never be forgiven. We know the way back to each other, to

The Power of Apologizing: Relearn How to Say “I’m Sorry” | Esther Perel Online Courses Topics Shop Products About Sessions Live Subscribe Subscribe on Substack April 25, 2023 The Power of Apologizing: Relearn How to Say “I’m Sorry” Written By Esther Perel & Mary Alice Miller Share on Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn Share on X Discover more from Esther on Substack. Explore articles and resources to help you find aliveness and vitality in your relationships. Subscribe on Substack Monthly Promotion Get 20% off an annual Where Should We Begin? subscription on Apple Podcasts — discount already applied.

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