Here's Why You Should Start Replacing "I'm Sorry" With "Thank You"

    Save your big apologies for the important things.

    Gyan Yankovich
    by Gyan Yankovich

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Using "sorry" as your go-to response is a pretty common little language habit.

    etsy.com

    Someone bumps into you? Sorry! You have to reschedule an appointment because of an important meeting? Sorry! Can't make a happy hour because your mom is in town? Sorry again!

    But the thing about the word "sorry" is that the more you say it, the less it means.

    NBC

    Obviously, there are a lot of times where "sorry" is the only appropriate thing to say, but for most of us, it's a word that's extremely overused.

    Luckily, there's an easy trick that can limit the number of apologies you make in a day, while still being kind and respectful: instead of "I'm sorry," say "thank you."

    VH1 / Via giphy.com

    Because sometimes, swapping a "sorry" with a "thank you" can mean even more to the person you're speaking to — especially if you've apologized a lot to them in the past.

    It's a really simple trick that works in a whole number of scenarios you might have previously said you were sorry about.

    etsy.com

    "I'm sorry I'm late" can turn into: "Thank you so much for waiting for me."

    "I'm sorry for unloading all of this onto you" can turn into: "Thank you for always listening to me."

    "I'm sorry I've been so needy lately" can turn into: "Thank you for being here for me, while I'm going through a tough time."

    "I'm sorry to asking you for another favor" can turn into: "Thank you for being someone I always know I can depend on."

    The trick works because saying "thank you" can often be harder than saying "sorry."

    Warner Bros / Via giphy.com

    While an apology shows that you acknowledge that you've maybe made a mistake or inconvenienced someone, thanking them shows that you've thought about a situation from their perspective, and appreciate the effort they've made for you.

    So, get out there and start practicing your thank yous, and save those apologies for the times that really warrant them.

    New Line Cinema / Via giphy.com