Handcuffs coming off one wrist

When apologizing is a sign of strength.

When I was a sophomore in college, I drove to Fort Lauderdale for spring break with my two roommates. It was my first time in Florida, first time on a road trip with friends, first time being threatened with arrest.

We were at a bar somewhere on the boardwalk. Most of the patrons—the guys, at least—sardined themselves into the back of the room around a low stage, whooping and hollering at a wet T-shirt contest. The air was a haze of cigarette smoke. The floor was sticky with beer, covered in peanut shells, and littered with empty plastic Solo cups.

When I finished my beer, I didn’t want to throw my cup on the floor. I didn’t see the big deal in throwing it in a trash can. Trouble was, I couldn’t find one. Wandering among the drunken hordes, avoiding the stage and the wet floor surrounding it, I searched for a place to deposit my empty cup.

When I got near the front entrance, I saw an overflowing receptacle just outside the door. Stepping out into the glaring light, I paused for a moment to reflect on the ribbon of people waiting to get inside. The line seemed endless. The bar must have been full to capacity, and a bouncer stood guard, waiting for people to leave before allowing new customers to enter.

I tossed my cup, then returned to the dungeon of debauchery.

After my second beer, I didn’t bother searching inside for a trash can. I knew right where to go. One step out, one step back in. Except this time, the bouncer stopped me.

“On no, you don’t,” he snarled at me, “you butted line once, you’re not doing it again.”

“But I was just …”

“I don’t wanna hear it. Go to the back of the line.”

“But I just …”

“Girlie, if you don’t move now, I’ll call the cops and have you arrested.”

I was stunned. The bouncer’s words stung like a slap to my face, and my face burned in response. My sense of injustice at being wrongly accused was crushing.

I’m trying to do the right thing, I wanted him to know. But my hands were effectively tied, and I knew I had to leave.

Shaking, heart pounding, gesturing wildly, I pleaded with the bouncer to let me back inside to retrieve my purse. He threatened to come in and find me if I wasn’t out in five minutes. I hurriedly found my purse, told my friends what happened, and waited for them outside. As soon as they joined me, I broke down, sobbing.

The fact that I remember this incident, and that I can still conjure the hurt, says a lot about the depth of that hurt.

It comes to mind today because I’m in the middle of a similar hurt.

It doesn’t involve beer or bars or garbage cans, and the only wet T-shirts are my husband’s in the washing machine.

But the hurt involves unwarranted accusations against my character. My attempts to defend myself are being ignored. My hands again are effectively tied.

This time, my accusers are people whose opinion of me I value. Hearing their condemnations is crushing.

The wound is still fresh. It’s so deep, I can’t imagine how it will heal. Writing about it, exploring my thoughts, sharing it here is part of my healing process.

In most interpersonal conflicts, each party has some culpability.

I believe that in most interpersonal conflicts, each party has some culpability.

In this recent conflict, I recognized my culpability and apologized–in person, and via phone, text, email, and snail-mail. None of the other parties has apologized yet. But I’m not responsible for them. I am only responsible for myself.

Undue apologizing–when you haven’t done anything wrong–is usually a people-pleasing, victim-y reaction borne of low self-esteem. Women fall into this trap more often than men. However, when an apology is justified, delivering that apology takes courage.

Apologizing, when justified, is courageous.

Even more courageous, requiring incredible restraint, is to apologize without requiring an apology in return, even when a return apology is warranted.

What strength it takes to say, “I’m sorry,” and to let that stand alone when an I’m sorry is due back to you.

I’ve learned that one of my super powers is to hold myself accountable for my mistakes, to apologize when necessary, and to let go of my expectations of other’s apologies or lack thereof.

Apologizing without requiring an apology in return is my superpower.

It doesn’t always feel good. In fact, right now, it sucks. But I’ll hold myself to a higher standard. That feels good. That will help me heal. No matter how much trash lays at my feet, I will always move toward the light.

Have you see my new page? Check it out! Ten Signs You May be a People-Pleaser.

Author

  • Karen DeBonis

    Karen DeBonis writes about motherhood, people-pleasing, and personal growth, the entangled mix told in her memoir "Growth: A Mother, Her Son, and the Brain Tumor They Survived" forthcoming in spring 2023. Subscribe today to receive Chapter 1: A Reckoning.

No Comments

  1. Gail Boenning on April 29, 2019 at 10:45 PM

    Karen–apologizing without requiring one in return is a superpower! It takes self awareness and strength. I hope whatever is troubling passes by quickly.

  2. Sheba on April 30, 2019 at 12:24 AM

    Wel Karen, as I was reading your blog, I was thinking of Brené Brown – Embracing Vulnerability. If you haven’t heard of her yet … she is on You Tube & Ted Talks (which is how I heard of her).
    You are brave to open up and this latest tragedy.
    It’s so terrible when people can’t forgive and move on. It hurts to the core.
    But knowing that you can’t control others is empowering … so you are a Super Woman (again)!

    Congrats!

    • Karen DeBonis on May 1, 2019 at 1:11 PM

      Sheba – I love Brene Brown, and I’m so glad you mentioned her. In fact, I think much of my current perspective on life comes from her books and videos. I do believe that “rumbling” with our vulnerability is where true personal growth lies. Thanks for your support, as always!

  3. Ruth Bilodeau on April 30, 2019 at 1:05 AM

    Great article Karen! You are a strong woman in so many ways. Hold your head high and “move toward the light” as you said. Sending hugs.

  4. Penny on April 30, 2019 at 2:55 PM

    Karen, I couldn’t even imagine you in any type of argument or conflict and I barely know you. You have always been such a kind and generous person and you’re writing such as this one, I find very relatable and see that you wear your heart on your sleeve. The world needs more Karen’s!!

    • Karen DeBonis on May 1, 2019 at 1:39 PM

      Penny, I so appreciate your wonderful words. I think because I’m usually kind (by nature, and by choice), when a conflict occurs, I don’t know how to handle it, and sometimes I handle it poorly. I’m working on it, though. This personal growth stuff never ends!

  5. Jack Herlocker on April 30, 2019 at 5:01 PM

    Karen, I’m pretty much with Penny — I have trouble picturing you in an argument. “Difference in opinion that got a bit sharp towards the end,” maybe, but that’s it. Of course, I realize we tend to see the nicer side of you in your column, but still…
    I’m totally with you on the apologizing thing, although it can also go the wrong way:
    “I’m sorry!”
    “You don’t have to apologize.”
    “Sorry, I didn’t mean to!”
    “No, really, no apology necessary.”
    “I know, sorry, sorry, sorry!”
    “I think you need to just be quiet now, okay?”

    • Karen DeBonis on May 1, 2019 at 2:07 PM

      I can see you in that dialogue, Jack, lol! I guess I do present my kind and vulnerable self in my writing. My “a bit sharp” self doesn’t show up often, so she doesn’t provide much writing material. But trust me, she’s real, and not very pleasant.

  6. Michael DeBonis on May 1, 2019 at 10:06 PM

    Karen, I’m proud of you on how strong you have become. We both know your heart is in the right place on this.

  7. […] Growing pains. Sigh. Yes, still, at 60. […]

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