We all cancel plans last minute. But if you do it often enough, your friends might start to take it personally. Here is what you can do about it.
Canceling plans last minute is a tricky thing because it can be interpreted as social rejection. In other words, the people with whom you had plans may think that your canceling is a reflection on how you feel about them.
MORE: The Importance Of Learning How To Say No
First of all, start saying no to the things at which you really don’t want to participate. If you bail on your plans a lot, it might be because you say yes to them without really meaning it.
Second of all, once you decide that you don’t want to go out after all, give a sincere and specific reason for canceling your plans.
If you are too tired, too sad or not feeling physically well, say to your friends exactly that.
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Third of all, don’t say that you are the worst person for missing that important event.
Otherwise, your friend will have to convince you that you are not in fact the worst person in the world. Instead, try to communicate your appreciation of them and your relationship. So they won’t interpret the canceling your plans as a rejection of them personally.
MORE: 4 Effective Ways To Deal With Rejection In Relationships
But the best way to cancel plans without appearing selfish or unreliable is to not make a habit out of it.
Don’t cancel your plan to share this with your friends!
