Make the First Repair Small Enough to Choose

After a misunderstanding, the urge to explain everything can crowd out the other person’s choice. Try a smaller repair instead:

1. Name the specific thing you regret.
2. Offer one concrete way to address it.
3. Leave room for the other person to accept, revise, or decline.

For example: “I interrupted you earlier. I’m sorry. I can make space for you to finish now, or we can leave it for another time—your choice.”

The point isn’t to secure quick reassurance or make the moment disappear. It’s to take responsibility without taking over the other person’s response. Trust has room to rebuild at a pace both people can choose.