So you were toxic and now you want to apologize. That’s a good first step! But it can be hard to know how to go about it. You might be feeling a little embarrassed about yourself and your behavior, and it can be hard to guess what to do next. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. If you’re sorry then it can be hard to know how to apologize and move on.

In fact, sorry isn’t always the hardest word, but sometimes it can be. Especially when you’re conscious of your behavior or have been told that you’re being toxic. It can be hard to face up to, but it’s important to try and address it.

For this reason, we have put together a list of steps that you can follow in order to apologize for being toxic and leave this entire thing behind.

How to apologize for being toxic:

1- Reflect on the root cause of your toxic behavior:

If you’re feeling sad about your behavior, start by trying to understand why you acted that way. What were the circumstances that led to it? Once you’ve identified the root cause, you can start to put measures in place to avoid reacting in a toxic way in the future.

For instance, if the real cause what the fact that you feel jealous or envious of another person, then becoming conscious of it, will allow you to become conscious of having this weakness. So the next time you will feel inclined to compare yourself to someone else or become bitter about what they have more than you, you’ll catch yourself in the process and stop yourself promptly.

Clearly finding the root cause of your toxic actions might involve communicating better with the people around you, or taking some time out for yourself if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Whatever works for you, the important thing is to start making changes so that you can be the best version of yourself.

2- Apologize for your toxic behavior:

If you want to apologize for your behavior, there are a few things you can do to make sure your apology is sincere and heartfelt. First, find the right words. Whether you apologize in person, over the phone, or in writing, it’s important to choose your words carefully.

Avoid saying things like “I’m sorry if you felt I hurt your feelings” or “I’m sorry if you think I was being a bit much.”, because this implies that they’re wrong for being mad at you. It implies that you’re only apologizing for that person’s own ideas rather than your actions and this can be another toxic act.

Instead, try something like “I apologize for the way I spoke to you yesterday. I was out of line and I’m truly sorry.”, you’ll be taking responsibility for your own actions this way. The most important thing is to explain what you did wrong and why it was hurtful. Say that you’re sorry for the pain you caused.

Second, be sincere. It’s not enough to just say or write the words; you need to mean them too. This can be done by not only taking responsibility for your actions but truly internalizing why what you did was wrong. Finally, promise that you’ll try to do better in the future.

And then, most importantly let them know that you’re taking steps to improve yourself and that you’ll do better in the future, which will bring us to the next point. With a little time and effort, you can repair the damage you’ve done and move forward in a healthier, happier way.

3- Commit to change:

It can be difficult to realize that you’ve been behaving in a way that is harmful to yourself and to those around you. If you’re struggling with toxicity, one of the most important steps is to commit to making a change. Whether that means attending therapy, journaling, or spending time in nature, it’s important to find an outlet for your emotions.

Once you’ve made the decision to change, the next step is to be better to those you’ve hurt. This can be difficult if you’re used to treating them with disrespect, but it’s important to try.

Let the person know that you’re committed to changing your behavior after having asked for their forgiveness. Toxic behavior often stems from deep-rooted issues, so commit to taking the time to work on yourself. With patience and self-compassion, you can overcome toxicity and build healthier relationships with yourself and with others.

4- Focus on yourself:

If you’ve been working on yourself to stop being toxic then it can be a chance for you to focus on yourself and your own needs. After you’ve gone through the first step and done some soul-searching you will figure out why you’ve been feeling this way.

Once you’ve done that, you can start to work on detaching from the world and switching your focus from others to self-love and self-care. This will help you feel better and be less toxic to those around you. After you’ve taken some time for yourself, work on changing your entire mindset and priorities in life and even your philosophy of life.

Try to start finding more pleasure and satisfaction in being positive and focusing on goals that will better you rather than caring about others and what they’re doing. A sincere shift in the way you perceive the world can go a long way toward healing any internal damage or trauma that’s making you toxic and spiteful.