I probably say the word 'sorry' more than I should on a daily basis. In fact, I know I do, but I can't change that. I can try, but it never works. I say 'sorry' so much that parents tell me that the word has lost it's meaning to them when I say it to them, or anyone for that matter, because they know just how much I say the word. You might say 'sorry' a lot , too, without even realizing it, and what does the word mean to you? What does the word actually mean?
Well, after finding out the "S-Word's" actual meaning, I come to realize that when I say 'sorry' I don't actually feel distressed, or pitiful, or unhappy. I am not a really unhappy person, but I still use the word. I think women as a whole resort towards using the word 'sorry' to be courteous not because they actually are sorry for something. Women, I think, apologize more than men do because they feel inferior about their actions. We, and this could relate to everyone, also use the word to cover up a situation and to avoid a conflict. I use the word sorry when somebody runs into me as if it's my fault, I use the word when my mom and I both grab for the same sock while folding laundry, and I use the word when my mom forgets she left a pan of cookies in the oven because she got distracted doing something else. I am very good at apologizing for things that I haven't done, but I'll admit I'm not very good at apologizing for the things I have done, and I think this could relate to most people. I was taught how to properly use the word, but I have just let the word take over my life, in a way. Most people use the word to appease something or someone. We, and I know I am not the only one, use the word so much that it doesn't have the true meaning behind it anymore
The word 'sorry' has become a filler word in the English language. Because we use the word so much, it no longer has the heartfelt and sincere connotation that is supposed to accompany it. We don't need to apologize for every little thing like we do. You grab the same sock as your mom, fine. Let her have it and pick up another one. You didn't do anything wrong, so don't say you're sorry. Because we use the word so much, it doesn't mean anything when you actually want it to. Only use the word when you want to be sincere about something you have done or feel sorrowful for something that someone has gone through, such as a death of a loved one. The word means something and has value when you use it in the right context.
Use the word 'sorry' because it is not something we can just go the rest of our lives without saying, but use it in the right context. Find other words that can replace the word sorry and have a more positive impact on the conversation at hand. By choosing other words instead of the "S-Word" and constantly apologizing, you may start to feel better about yourself. Own your actions, be more true to who you are, and actually feel what the words you are saying mean. I know I am going to try and change. I want to reduce the use of the word 'sorry' from my daily life, but it is not going to be easy. I want my words and actions to mean more to me and others around me, and I hope you do, too. Make the "S-Word" actually mean something. Give it value. Give it care. Give it the use that it deserves.
Sorry, but I'm going to challenge you: Can you stop using the "S-Word"?
I can truly relate to this post because I too am a culprit of using the word sorry too often. I use it for basically any situation where I feel I could have done the slightest of wrong. In fact, I believe when I say "I'm sorry" it's more so connotated to "excuse me"; I say it so that my actions are pardoned rather than for feeling bad for what I did. Although I agree with you that the word sorry has lost it's meaning and that we shouldn't use it in the context we do, in my opinion it would be extremely difficult to stop people from saying the word. Since sorry is used so commonly among individuals for actions we are not actually apologetic for, sorry has become a weak word; we need to use stronger, more sympathetic words to apologize. Keeping this post in mind throughout my week, I plan to partner with you in trying to find more meaning in my apologies and limit the use of sorry in my vocabulary.
ReplyDeleteI can truly relate to this post because I too am a culprit of using the word sorry too often. I use it for basically any situation where I feel I could have done the slightest of wrong. In fact, I believe when I say "I'm sorry" it's more so connotated to "excuse me"; I say it so that my actions are pardoned rather than for feeling bad for what I did. Although I agree with you that the word sorry has lost it's meaning and that we shouldn't use it in the context we do, in my opinion it would be extremely difficult to stop people from saying the word. Since sorry is used so commonly among individuals for actions we are not actually apologetic for, sorry has become a weak word; we need to use stronger, more sympathetic words to apologize. Keeping this post in mind throughout my week, I plan to partner with you in trying to find more meaning in my apologies and limit the use of sorry in my vocabulary.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this blog, mostly because I can relate to it in so many ways. I do, in fact, tend to use "sorry" or "I'm sorry" way too much, and sometimes not for it's actually meaning, as you've mentioned. I do agree with you that the term has lost it's valuable meaning and that people use it way too often. I feel as though when people say they're sorry it could be because they just want to cheer someone up, are too frustrated to actually pay attention and use the word to get away with it, or simply because it's just a habit of saying when committing a mistake. Also, I agree with you that it will be challenging to even try to stop using the word "sorry" because it's so commonly said in our everyday lives. What I thought was the best part of your blog was how you ended it. It's almost as though you were contradicting yourself by saying the word "sorry" and asking us, the readers, if we can stop using the "S-Word." I found that very interesting because although you ask of us to try and reduce the number of times we say "sorry" you still mention, perhaps to show how hard it is to not say it. However, your blog was very strong with your own personal experiences and actually posting an image of the definition of the word "sorry." All-in-all, great job!
ReplyDeleteI agree with every aspect of this post Lauren! We definitely use the word "sorry" way more than we should and because of that, we've taken it completely out of its meaning. I can relate this to something similar to when people say "I love you". We always say it even if we don't truly mean it. An example could be when a friend picks up your pencil that you didn't even realize you dropped as you're rushing to get to class. Often times I would say "I love you" but I don't really mean it with passion and true love, I just mean it as thanks. Because of that, the word has lost its meaning just as "sorry" has. I agree that we've taken some words too out of its context and it's being thrown around too much to the point where it has no meaning. I hope we can start to think about what we say and hopefully give words their meaning once again. Your voice and casual tone made this an easy read and really kept it flowing. I also liked the ironic rhetorical question you used at the end of your post, although I will admit I didn't actually catch it the first time I read it! Overall, your post was definitely an eye-opener and you can count on me starting to watch what I say and how I use my words from now on!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved your blog post. You use "we" to relate to the audience and it really worked. It showed us that you do the same thing even though you know it is a bad habit. I agree with everything you say. I say sorry for the most random things: bumping somebody's foot under a desk, opening my locker too far when Chris Churley needs in his right next to mine, or even to my parents when I am not paying attention. I say sorry for all of the wrong things because when I am supposed to say it, it either doesn't have the meaning I want it to or I just don't use it all. My parents now say "don't just say sorry, do something to show you are sorry." I liked how you ended your blog with "sorry" and challenged the reader to think about what they are saying.
ReplyDeleteI think that we as humans used many words in a way that is meaningless. Once we begin to use a certain word frequently, it becomes like a drug. We become addicted to the way that it rolls off of our tongues and we often forget the true meaning behind that word, as you mentioned in your post. And I also agree with your statement that women use the "S-word" much more frequently than men. I believe that this is because women, more so than men, care about what other people think of them. I, as well as others, use the word sorry to maybe justify something that I've said that others may not agree with, or an action that may cause others to think differently of me. We tend to use the word to acknowledge that something we are doing is wrong, and we do not want to offend others.
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