If you asked me a few weeks ago some of the words I say the most frequently, I'd probably have responded with: like, oh my god, and a whole slew of expletives (sorry Mom). However, there's one word that tops all of those: sorry.

I've lost count of the number of times I've dropped this word in casual conversation, where it was totally and completely UNNECESSARY. Someone bumps into me: "Oh, sorry." One of my friends wants to wear the shirt that I already put on: "Ugh, my bad, sorry." Somebody wants to do something the same day I have plans for my friend's birthday: "I'm SO sorry!"

It creeps into almost every conversation I have. Why am I sorry so often? What exactly am I apologizing for? It's become such a habit I don't even realize it's coming out of my mouth half the time. It's my natural response to most things. The number of texts I've sent with a string of "I'm sorry's" is endless. Am I actually sorry, though? Sure, things suck, but why is my natural inclination to immediately apologize as if I've done something wrong?

This idea first popped into my head right around the new year. My sister and I were discussing our New Year's resolutions, and I reluctantly couldn't think of anything original or worth the effort for 2016. All of the generic resolutions went through my head, but I wasn't thrilled with any of them. They all seemed recycled or boring or just not what I was looking for. And then my sister said, "I really want to start saying sorry less." It wasn't this brilliant proclamation, but it really resonated with me. It got me thinking about all of the pointless things I've apologized for over the years, and how truly unnecessary the word is in most situations. We're all so concerned with hurting people, which is a great gesture, but doing things simply because you want to do them, and not following the status quo, is not apology-worthy. It's living your life for you and not the people around you.

This absolutely isn't to say that apologizing should be outlawed forever and always. That is far from the truth. There are countless times where I've messed up. Badly. And it's in those moments where the word "sorry" doesn't even seem like enough. However, the point of apologizing is recognizing that you've hurt someone in some way, expressing forgiveness, and working towards not repeating the same mistakes. Saying sorry more than once just becomes redundant and sounds fake.

Since I've started this resolution, it hasn't exactly been easy. I still find myself apologizing for things I know I shouldn't. It's also caused me to notice all of the pointless times the people around me apologize. And the more I notice it, the more I realize how truly annoying it is. Apologize when you hurt someone's feelings, when you're in the wrong, when things are just not going well for your friend. Don't apologize for every blessed thing in your life. Don't apologize for existing.

You want to stay in and binge watch Gossip Girl while all your friends want to go out? Not apology worthy. You want to eat an entire carton of Ben and Jerry's while all your friends are at the gym? Been there, done that. DEFINITELY not apology worthy.

There's no possible way you can live a full, complete life if you're constantly afraid of what everyone around you is thinking. Just go about your daily life being the best human being you can be to the people around you. Unapologetically.