Over-Apologizing in Canada: When “Sorry” Stops Being Polite -- and Starts Costing You Your Confidence

This editorial-style article explores how the Canadian cultural tendency to over-apologize can evolve from a polite reflex into a harmful behavioral default, often rooted in deeper psychological issues like people-pleasing, low self-esteem, anxiety disorders, or a trauma response. It details the hidden costs of constant apologizing—including eroding self-worth, undermining professional authority, and encouraging boundary violations with loved ones—and highlights the difference between genuine accountability and a reflexive "sorry." Finally, the article provides practical, Canadian-friendly strategies to stop over-apologizing by replacing it with intent-preserving phrases like gratitude, which helps the individual to take up space and fosters long-term well-being.