Picture this: You've just argued with your partner, the dust has settled, but there’s still lingering anger because things haven't fully resolved. The active fighting is over, but neither of you has apologized, so the frustration continues to simmer. The standoff persists because neither of you is willing to say the two words that could resolve the situation: I’m sorry. But why is it so hard to apologize first, even when you know it would put this fight to rest, and that you had some part in why it happened in the first place?
According to Brenda Della Casa, relationship coach and author of Cinderella Was A Liar, it simply comes down to ego. "Many times, we allow our ego to be attached to disagreements and equate apologizing with being weak. In reality, having the maturity, respect for your partner, and self-awareness to admit when you're wrong are all signs of strength," she tells Elite Daily.