Indeed, the two are no much different from each other. He who apologieses is simply seeking for forgiveness, he is seeking for peace in the mind. Apology also allows he or she who must have offended to come in terms with him or herself, it brings about self forgiveness. We are humans and we certainly must offend as we shall be offended, and we must learn to let go of our guilt, pains and even heartbreaks if we must be free. The effect of any of these (be it apologies or forgiveness) is always more on the one who takes the action, it is only by taking such an action that you can know freedom.
The human person is highly emotional and if these emotions are not well controlled they bring him more pain than good. There are so many reasons why people would prefer to remain in their guilt or to dwell in the pain of the past, but those reasons are never worth it. It's same as decided to hurt yourself simply because you have been hurt or because you have hurt another, it certainly solves no problem in return. In all that you do, never allow pride nor fear to cost you more than the one that have already been caused.
Here are some factors that can help us overcome, forgive, apologize and finally know freedom:
Self awareness: If we are able to understand ourselves, our strength and weaknesses, it becomes easier to overcome the barriers that stops us from either forgiving or apologizing. One must go back to himself to ask certain questions each time he or she offends or feel offended, only then can he attain either self-forgiveness or one from another.
Communication: A good relationship is always characterised by good communication and a communicating relationship will certainly dwell less in dispute than that with less communication. If communication exist in a relationship, apologies will certainly not be a difficult task and by implication forgiveness will be common.
Empathy: Putting yourself in anothers shoe can be a very difficult task but by doing that we get to see reasons to forgive and apologies. If you care about the feelings of the other, it becomes very difficult to offend him or her and when you eventually do, apologizing will never be a problem. On the other hand, it is no difficult task for one to forgive the person he or she cares for.
In all, never you allow yourself to dwell in pains for reasons that will never worth it, allow yourself experience freedom that know no bounds. I am 