a small collection

Real situations,
reworded with care.

Same meaning. Same you. Just landed better.

Apologies

Forgot a friend's birthday
Before

OMG I am SO sorry I completely forgot, I'm the worst friend ever, I'll make it up to you I promise!!! 😭

After

I forgot your birthday and I'm gutted. No excuse, I should have been better. Let me take you out properly this week, my treat.

Snapped at a colleague
Before

Hey, sorry if what I said earlier came across the wrong way, I didn't mean anything by it.

After

I was short with you in the meeting and I shouldn't have been. That wasn't about you. I'm sorry.

Saying no

Declining a wedding invite
Before

I'm so so sorry, I really really wish I could be there but unfortunately I just can't make it work, you have no idea how sad I am about it.

After

I won't be able to make the wedding, I'm so sorry to miss it. I'll be thinking of you both. Can we have dinner when you're back from honeymoon?

Turning down extra work
Before

I would absolutely love to help but I'm just so swamped right now, would it maybe be okay if perhaps I couldn't?

After

I can't take this on right now without dropping something else. Happy to talk through priorities if that helps.

Setting a boundary

With a family member
Before

Mum, please can you stop bringing this up every time we speak, it really upsets me and I've asked you so many times.

After

I love you, and I need us to stop talking about this. I'm not going to change my mind, and it hurts every time. Can we leave it?

With a client
Before

Just to flag, weekends are usually my time off, but of course if it's urgent I can try and look at it.

After

I don't work weekends as a rule. I'll pick this up first thing Monday, if it's genuinely urgent before then, please call.

Chasing politely

Unanswered email
Before

Hi! Just gently nudging this to the top of your inbox in case it got buried 🙂 No rush at all whenever you get a chance!!

After

Following up on the note below, is this still on your radar? Happy to have a quick chat if that's easier.

Awkward asks

Asking a friend to pay you back
Before

Heyyy so sorry to be that person but do you remember that thing I paid for, no rush at all just whenever you can!

After

Could you send over the £40 from last week when you get a sec? Thanks lovely.

Asking for a pay rise
Before

I was wondering if maybe at some point we could possibly have a conversation about my salary, I totally understand if not.

After

I'd like to talk about my salary. Can we put 30 minutes in next week? I'll come with what I'm proposing and why.

Replying to someone upset

Friend feels left out
Before

I'm so sorry you feel that way!! I never meant to leave you out, you know I love you, please don't be upset.

After

You're right that I should have included you, and I'm sorry. It wasn't deliberate but that doesn't change how it landed. Are you free this week to talk properly?

Partner had a hard day
Before

Aw babe that sounds awful, I'm sorry, do you want me to pick anything up on the way home or do anything?

After

That sounds really hard. I'm on my way, do you want company and a takeaway, or quiet and a bath run for you?

Hard truths

Ending a friendship
Before

I've been thinking a lot and I don't know how to say this but I think we maybe need some space, I'm so sorry.

After

I don't think this friendship is working for me anymore. I'm not angry, I just need to step back. I wish you well.

Telling a friend their plan won't work
Before

I mean it could totally work, just maybe think about a few things first?

After

I don't think this is going to go the way you're hoping, and I'd rather tell you now than after. Want me to walk through what I'd change?

Replying to an ex

They've messaged 'how are you?' out of the blue
Before

Heyyyy!! Oh my god, so random, how ARE you?? I'm great thanks, mad hearing from you haha hope you're doing well!! xx

After

Hi! Lovely to hear from you, what a surprise. I'm well thanks, busy but good. Hope you're doing alright too.

They want to 'talk things through'
Before

I mean I guess we could talk if you want, I'm not sure what there is to say really but if it would help you then yeah okay.

After

I don't think a conversation would change much for me, and I'd rather not reopen it. I hope you're doing alright.

Sorting out leftover belongings
Before

Hey so sorry to be annoying but I think you left some bits at mine, any chance you could come and grab them sometime? No rush at all!

After

I've still got a few of your things here. When suits you to come and pick them up? Saturday morning works my end if that's easy.

Co-parenting

Swapping a weekend at short notice
Before

I know this is so annoying and I'm really sorry to ask but is there ANY way you could take her this Saturday instead of next? I totally understand if not, really sorry again.

After

Something's come up this Saturday. Could we swap weekends so you have her this one and I'll take next? Let me know what works.

Flagging something the child said
Before

Hey, so she said something a bit weird yesterday and I just wanted to flag it with you, not making a thing of it, just wanted you to know.

After

She mentioned something yesterday I thought you should know about. Nothing urgent. Can I give you a ring tonight after she's down?

Disagreeing about a decision
Before

I really don't think this is a good idea but I know you've already kind of decided so I guess we'll just have to see how it goes.

After

I'm not on the same page as you on this one. Can we talk it through properly before anything's set? I want us to land on something we both feel okay about.

Condolences

A friend's parent has died
Before

I'm so so sorry for your loss, I can't even imagine what you're going through right now, sending all my love and please let me know if there's anything at all I can do!! xxx

After

I'm so sorry. I've been thinking about you. I won't say much, just that I'm here, and I'll check in again in a few days. Love you.

A colleague's bereavement
Before

So sorry to hear your news, thinking of you at this difficult time, take all the time you need.

After

I was so sorry to hear about your dad. Please don't worry about anything here, we've got it covered. Take whatever time you need.

Neighbours

Noise from upstairs
Before

Hi so sorry to bother you, I don't want to be that neighbour but the music last night was really quite loud and I was wondering if maybe in future...

After

Hi, hope you're well. The music last night came through really clearly down here and kept us up. Would you mind keeping it down after 11 in the week? Cheers.

Parking across your drive
Before

Hi! I noticed your car has been parked across my drive a couple of times this week, I'm sure it's an accident but it does mean I can't get out!

After

Hi, your car's been across my drive a few times this week and I've not been able to get out. Could you keep it clear? Thanks.

Letting someone down (dating)

After a few dates, not feeling it
Before

Hey! I've had such a lovely time meeting you, you're honestly so great, but I just don't think I'm in the right place right now to be dating, I'm so sorry!

After

I've really enjoyed meeting you, but I don't think we're quite the right fit and I didn't want to leave you wondering. Wishing you well, properly.

After a first date
Before

Hey, thanks for last night, it was lovely meeting you! I had a great time but I just didn't feel a romantic spark, hope that's okay!

After

Thanks for last night, it was a good evening. I didn't feel a spark from my end though, so I'll leave it there. All the best.