Best Ways to Show You're Sorry
50 Ways to Show Someone You're Sincerely Sorry
Image Source: Getty / Thomas Barwick
Nobody likes messing up — that's a fact. But, unfortunately, upsetting the people closest to us is, while uncomfortable, also completely unavoidable. That's why it's important to know how to apologize to your friends, family, and significant other in a sincere way that is personalized and filled with love. We won't deny that swallowing your pride for long enough to say your sorry really sucks, but it's an important stage of the forgiveness process; and as the old saying goes, if you do the crime, well, you've also got to do the time.
There are a few ways you can apologize. The best place to start is with an honest conversation where you own your mistakes, don't make excuses, and also ask for forgiveness. But beyond telling someone you're sorry, it's important to also show them you're sorry — and that's where we come in. Ahead, see 50 ways to show someone you're sincerely sorry and work your way back into their heart.
1 Send a Bunch of Beautiful Flowers to Their House
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2 Or a Bunch of Native or Dried Flowers That Will Last Even Longer
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3 Make or Buy Tasty Chocolate Truffles as a Gift
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4 Surprise Them With Brunch at Their Favorite Cafe
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5 Treat Them to Breakfast in Bed
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6 Send a Handmade Card Featuring a Joke Only They'll Understand
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7 Borrow a Friend's Dog and "Gift" It to Them For the Day
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8 Own Up to What You Did
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9 Ask How You Can Make It Up to Them . . . Then Do That
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10 Don't Make Excuses For Your Actions
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11 Promise That You Won't Make the Same Mistake Again
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12 Say Sorry . . . and Really Mean It
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13 Bake Their Favorite Treat and Hand Deliver It
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14 Plan a Surprise Picnic at a Scenic Location
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15 Fill a Gift Box With Their Favorite-Colored Skittle
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16 Make a Bouquet Out of Their Favorite Dessert
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17 Paint the Words "Sorry For Being a Prick" on a Potted Cactus
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18 Treat Them to Dinner at Their Favorite Restaurant
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19 Create a Playlist With All Their Favorite Songs
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20 Hand Deliver a Coffee to Their House Before Work
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21 Send Their Favorite Meal For Dinner as a Surprise
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22 Leave Post-Its That Say "I'm Sorry" Around Their Apartment
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23 Spell the Word "Sorry" on Their Doorstep With Their Favorite Candy
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24 Organize a Pamper Day to Make Them Feel Special
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25 Don't Blame Them For Your Bad Behavior
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26 Don't Make Them Come to You — Go to Them
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27 Give Them Space If They Ask For It
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28 Gift Them Love Heart Candy With the Words "I'm Sorry" on Them
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29 Write a List of Creative Ways You'll Make It Up to Them
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30 Ask For Forgiveness
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31 Decorate Cookies With the Word "Sorry"
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32 Write a Handwritten Note Saying Sorry
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33 Don't Expect to Be Forgiven Immediately
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34 Text Them the Words "I'm Sorry" in a Different Language Every Day
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35 Surprise Them With a Fun Day Out
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36 Create a Cute, Custom Phone Background For Them
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37 Hide Notes That Say "I'm Sorry" in the Pockets of Their Clothes
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38 Ask How You Can Make Things Right
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39 Book a Surfing Lesson and Spend the Day Laughing
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40 Write a Poem Expressing How Sorry You Are
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41 Write and Perform a Song to Say You Love Them
Image Source: Getty / Klaus Vedfelt
42 Be Honest About the Mistakes You've Made
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43 Transform Your Outside Space Into a Cinema With Their Favorite Treats
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44 Plan a Fun or Romantic Weekend Away
Image Source: Getty / Muriel de Seze
45 Re-create Their Favorite Meal at Home If You're on a Tighter Budget
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46 Make Them a Heartfelt Apology Gift, Rather Than Buying One
Image Source: Getty / Jamie Grill
47 Learn From Your Mistakes and Forgive Yourself, Too
Image Source: Getty / Tim Robberts
48 Apologize in a Way That Matches Their Love Language
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49 Commit to Spending More Time Doing the Things They Love
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50 Be Patient With Them If It Takes Time to Be Forgiven
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