The other day, I was brave. I was brutally honest because I needed to be, and I didn’t apologize. Usually I would have. It may have seemed harsh and required a polite apology (according to what we deem as “appropriate”), but I was not sorry, and I believed in every word. I don’t want to be sorry for being honest.

“I’m sorry” is an overused expression. I hear it daily, more often than “I love you" and “I hate you” combined. I don’t get it.

“Sorry” has become expected from us in certain situations, although it isn’t necessary. We are expected to say that we’re apologetic for not moving fast enough, or not meeting up to others’ standards. We even apologize for our thoughts.

Essentially, we apologize for what makes us unique. Are you sorry for being an individual and thinking for yourself? No? So why are you apologizing?

I’ve been thinking about what it means to say that you are sorry. It doesn’t mean much when it doesn’t hold any substance. Being truly sorry means showing that you are, not just saying the words. When you say you’re sorry, you’re trying to show that you are polite more than you actually care about what you did or said. Overused words grow tired and meaningless. They get thrown around carelessly, and are more insulting than silence could ever be.

I’ve noticed that people apologize for things that they shouldn’t be sorry about. I see myself doing this, and immediately cringe. It has become an automatic response. If you asked someone what they were sorry for, most times their answer would sound ridiculous.

The fact that we say sorry for every little thing has brought down the value of the expression, and ruins it for when serious things do come along. “I’m sorry.” Do you mean it?

We live in a society that makes you feel wrong when you don’t believe what you “should.” The unfamiliar not widely accepted, and many people are too timid to express themselves because of what others will think. Forget about that. Don’t be scared to be “wrong.” Your thoughts come at a high value; don’t decrease their worth yourself.

I am content with my flaws, as well as my quirks. They don't make me wrong. They make me real.

Because of this,

I’m not sorry.

I’m not sorry about who I love, because what comes naturally should not be suppressed.

I’m not sorry for what I think, even if others don’t agree.

I’m not sorry for what I feel, because we all have emotions.

I'm not sorry about my laugh, even if it's obnoxiously loud sometimes.

I’m not sorry for my wants, because everyone has desires.

I’m not sorry when I do something for myself, even if others say it's selfish.

I'm not sorry for being myself, because I'm human.