I’m Sorry – I Was Wrong – I Love You
- Desta Therapy
- Sep 2
- 2 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
In families, friendships, and relationships of all kinds, three short phrases carry enormous power: I’m sorry. I was wrong. I love you.
At first, they may feel small or even awkward to say. Yet, when spoken with sincerity, these words can soften conflict, repair broken trust, and invite connection where walls once stood. They acknowledge responsibility, express humility, and affirm care — all essential ingredients for healthy relationships.
Why These Words Matter
“I’m sorry” shows that we recognize the hurt or impact of our actions. It validates the other person’s feelings.
“I was wrong” goes further, moving beyond apology to genuine accountability. It requires humility and courage to admit mistakes.
“I love you” restores the relational bond, reminding the other person that the relationship matters more than pride or winning an argument.
Together, these phrases create emotional safety and open the door to reconciliation.
The Therapeutic Benefit
Saying these words is freeing. They release us from defensiveness and from the heavy burden of unspoken tension. Instead of clinging to being “right,” we create space for compassion and mutual growth. For the person receiving them, these words can feel deeply healing, often more than elaborate explanations or justifications ever could.
How Therapy Can Help
For many, apologizing and admitting fault doesn’t come easily. Old wounds, family patterns, or fear of vulnerability may make these phrases feel risky. Counseling provides a supportive space to practice using them, explore the feelings they stir up, and build confidence in bringing them into daily life. Therapy can also help families and couples learn how to receive these words with openness rather than defensiveness, turning them into steppingstones for stronger relationships.
A Practice Worth Embracing
Imagine homes, workplaces, and communities where people regularly said, I’m sorry. I was wrong. I love you. Conflicts would still happen—because conflict is part of being human—but the repair would come quicker, and connection would deepen.
It’s a practice of courage, humility, and love. And it’s one we can all choose, starting today. Curious if therapy might be right for you? Take a quick self-check here.
Desta Therapy, LLC - Open 7 days per week - Counseling for children, teens, and adults (including couples/families) - inquiries@desta-therapy.com
