In our interactions with others, we sometimes find ourselves in situations where we may have offended, upset, or hurt someone with our words or actions.

While it’s important to honor our authenticity and need for self-expression, we could learn to embrace conflicting feelings.

The paradox of being “sorry, not sorry

This is the idea that while we are not truly sorry for expressing ourselves or for the content of our message, we can simultaneously acknowledge that our words or actions may have caused harm or offense.

Embracing this paradox can be a complex task, as it involves balancing our commitment to personal authenticity and self-expression with compassion for the feelings of others.

By acknowledging the impact, reflecting on our intentions, communicating respectfully, choosing our battles wisely, and striving for personal growth, we can navigate the paradox of being “sorry, not sorry.

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Image header: Alex Cockroach, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0