They can. I personally don’t over apologize. I’m just really sensitive to put downs even if they’re in jest, and I have really high expectations for myself. By the time people put me down even jokingly, I think they just don’t realize I’ve already done that, but in a serious way.
I never thought I would be one of these people.. Sometimes we’ve been one of these people our whole lives and we didn’t even know it. Because when you grow up like that, sometimes you don’t know any different or know any better. And that’s a really angering thought. The fact you believed every word.
Because who wouldn’t?? Well, some don’t. I’m not sure how. Those who stand up for themselves and yell and get mad at their parents. Those who have attitude and fight back. That should have been me. I’m not sure how they know to do that though.
That’s why they can find it strange when I don’t laugh, or they may find me to be overly defensive. It can also make you stubborn and not open to feedback. This can push people away. We can work on these things in therapy, but sometimes they just don’t go away and it’s how we are.