An Apology (or Lack of One)
An Apology (or Lack of One)
Writing a Letter of Reckoning
Writing a Letter of Reckoning
Write a letter of apology—real, imagined, or metaphorical. But here’s the twist: this is not just an apology—it’s a reckoning.
You have two paths you can take:
A Genuine Apology – A letter where the writer fully accepts responsibility for something they’ve done (or failed to do).
Maybe it’s a letter to a real person—a friend, family member, or even a younger version of yourself.
Maybe it’s an apology for something small but meaningful or something that still lingers in the background of your life.
A Non-Apology – A letter where the writer refuses to apologize for something, justifying or even doubling down on their actions.
Maybe they don’t think they were wrong—or they do, but refuse to admit it.
Maybe they are apologizing for something that isn’t their fault—a situation, an expectation, an identity.
Maybe they are mocking the idea of apologizing altogether.
A real person in your life.
A fictional person (invention or historical figure).
Your past self, future self, or an alternate version of you.
An object, a place, or an abstract concept.
Someone who will never read it.
Your letter should reveal something about the narrator— their regrets, their stubbornness, their growth, or their unresolved feelings.
Be specific—don’t just say “I’m sorry for everything.” What did they do? What’s left unsaid?
If it’s a non-apology, consider the underlying emotions—is it anger? Defiance? A need for validation?
The most powerful apologies are not just about the past, but about what happens next. What, if anything, changes after this letter is written?
"Dear Younger Me" – An apology to a past version of yourself for mistakes you made, opportunities you missed, or the way you spoke to yourself.
"I Should Have Said This" – A letter to someone you hurt, but never apologized to. What stopped you from saying it before?
"I’m Sorry, but Not Really" – A letter where you half-heartedly apologize but mostly justify your actions.
"An Apology to an Object" – A letter to something non-human (e.g., “Dear Old Guitar,” “Dear Childhood Home,” “Dear Favorite Book I Never Finished”).
"I Will Not Apologize" – A letter refusing to apologize for something that society expects (e.g., “Dear World, I Will Not Apologize for Who I Am”).
"A Confession Disguised as an Apology" – A letter where the narrator admits to something but doesn’t actually say they’re sorry.
"Too Little, Too Late" – An apology that arrives long after it should have—perhaps to someone who is no longer around to read it.
Is this apology sincere, performative, or conflicted?
Does the recipient deserve this apology, or is the narrator writing to satisfy their own guilt?
What is the tone—heartfelt, bitter, regretful, defiant, sarcastic?
If the recipient could respond, what would they say?