First I have to thank you for making me chuckle with the second paragraph of your post. It was the "high quality paper" -- everything after that was just gravy.

I have a horrible habit of apologizing to everyone, even strangers, when I feel that I have made their lives difficult or uncomfortable in any way. I apologize when I am spaced out at the nail salon or when I am passing someone in a supermarket. With friends and co-workers, it is usually an "I'm sorry/ thank you" combo deal. It has become my signature.

I know that Glok is right when mentioning establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries, but I lose sight of understanding that when I am so caught up in feeling the need to apologize for any inconvenience created by my wants or needs.

Maybe it starts with honoring and respecting our needs as valuable and necessary?