Boring & Devastating
Browse all
In a pitch right now? Words you can use →

For people who brought others in

If you recruited friends or family

If you brought people in and now feel sick about it, that feeling means you care. You acted on what you were told, the same way they did. You can make things right without carrying it alone.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-29

Start here:
  • You were given the same hopeful pitch you passed on.
  • Caring enough to feel bad is a good sign, not a verdict on you.
  • A short, honest message repairs more than a long apology.
  • Most people forgive faster than we expect.

What tends to help

Messages you can copy

Fill in the brackets and send whatever fits. You do not have to explain more than this.

Tell someone you are stepping back

Hi [name] — I wanted to be honest with you. I took a closer look at the costs and the numbers, and I've decided to step back from [company]. I'm sorry if I ever put pressure on you to join or buy. No hard feelings at all if you'd like to do the same, and I'm glad to share what I found.

A short apology

I've been thinking about how I talked to you about [company], and I'm sorry if it felt like pressure. You don't owe me anything. Our friendship matters more to me than any of that.

Point someone to their own next step

If you want to look into the costs and how to cancel or return anything, there are some plain checklists and templates here: boringanddevastating.com. No pressure either way — I just wish I'd had them sooner.

Be gentle with yourself

Shame keeps people stuck and quiet, which is the opposite of what helps. You can be sorry, make repairs, and still treat yourself like someone who was misled rather than someone who is bad. Both can be true.

Useful next pages

Sources

Correction request

To request a correction, email corrections@boringanddevastating.com with the page URL and the specific text at issue.