DEAR HARRIETTE: How can I politely decline social invitations without hurting the feelings of friends who may not understand my need for personal time and space? I often find myself choosing between prioritizing self-care and maintaining social connections, especially when feeling exhausted and in need of solitude. Most of my friends are extroverted, and they complain when I don’t attend events. As a people pleaser, communicating my boundaries and reasons for declining invitations can be challenging, as I don't want to disappoint or offend my friends. I’m seeking advice on what to do in another situation like this. -- In Need of Solitude
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DEAR IN NEED OF SOLITUDE: You don’t have to explain. Just continue to politely decline invitations to events you don’t want to attend and happily accept the ones you choose. Remain a mystery. That’s just fine!
(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)