GET STARTED
Start your journey toward healing, connection, and courage—with one word: sorry.
Explore our science-backed tools, meaningful opportunities, and personal reflection resources designed to help you make apology a powerful part of your daily life.
Apology Tools (Science Research)
Discover how apology changes the brain, body, and relationships—backed by real science.
Apologizing and forgiving are more than emotional gestures—they’re proven to affect brain chemistry, emotional states, stress levels, and social outcomes. Below are highlights from published studies that explain why apology is powerful.
Neurological Effects
Apology activates areas of the brain associated with empathy, emotional regulation, and healing. Neuroscience shows that when someone apologizes sincerely, the brain responds with reduced anger and increased compassion.
Especially for women, the brain responds more strongly to apology—leading to deeper emotional resolution.
Emotional & Psychological Effects
Saying “sorry” can deactivate anger responses, shift defensive behavior, and open the path to forgiveness and empathy. It fosters relief in both the apologizer and the person receiving the apology.
Physical Benefits
Apologizing and forgiving lower heart rate, reduce stress, and improve physical relaxation. It literally helps the body calm down—making space for emotional healing.
Social Impact
Genuine apologies help restore trust, reduce tension, and promote cooperation in families, schools, teams, and entire communities. Apology creates group harmony, making environments more emotionally safe and resilient.
Get Involved
Every Apology Can Change a Life.
A sincere “sorry” is more than a word—it’s a bold, vulnerable step toward healing, connection, and stronger relationships. When you get involved with Start With Sorry, you become part of a growing movement that believes in the power of repair.
3 Ways to Join Us
1. Support Our Mission
We’re building a global community that values courage and emotional repair. When you buy Start With Sorry merchandise like T-shirts, jumpers, or accessories, you're not just showing support—you’re helping fund free apology resources for families, classrooms, and workplaces.
2. Bring Apology to Your Home, School, or Workplace
Ready to create a culture of repair where you live or work? We offer free downloadable tools to help families, educators, and organizations embed apology into daily life. If you're an organization ready to partner with us, we'd love to hear from you.
3. Spread the Word
Share your apology story. Tell your friends. Post on social media using #startwithsorry or contact us to volunteer, collaborate, or host an event. Help us normalize sincere apology as a sign of strength—not shame.
Take Action – What’s Your Apology Score?
Understand your relationship with apology—and grow from it.
Our Apology Quotient Quiz helps you discover your comfort level, mindset, and patterns when it comes to apologizing. It’s simple, insightful, and based on psychological and emotional research.
Quiz Questions Include:
When you realize you’ve hurt someone, how do you respond?
Do you reflect on your words after conflict?
How do you react when someone points out a mistake?
What does saying “sorry” mean to you?
How do you feel after apologizing?
Your Result Levels
Awareness Stage
“You’re just beginning your journey. Explore what holds you back from apologizing and try one small act of repair this week.”
Action Stage
“You sometimes say sorry, but it’s not always easy. Practice a thoughtful apology in a trusted relationship to build confidence.”
Repair Leader
“You understand the power of apology! Keep modeling repair and encourage others by sharing your story.”
What Happens Next?
You’ll receive personalized suggestions rooted in science, so you can grow in confidence, communication, and courage. You can even share your results with us—and we’ll support you with resources tailored to your level.