I stopped apologizing for snacks

I used to say "Sorry, I just need to eat something real quick," or some version of that, every time I pulled food out of my bag. I acted as if needing to eat bothered whoever was nearby. The snack was always necessary. The apology was optional, and I dropped it.

I stopped without a speech or announcement. I take the food out and eat it. Most people do not react at all. The few who mind were not going to be comfortable with me eating in front of them either way. An apology would not have changed that.

The reflex is still there

The urge to apologize is not gone. Sometimes "sorry" still starts to form before I catch it. Each time I eat without offering an explanation nobody asked for, the habit lessens a little.