How to Decline an Invitation to a Social Event

With the fast-paced society you live in, no doubt you are faced with an endless barrage of social event invitations at times. You must face the fact that you can't be all things to all people or be everywhere at once.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Decline an invitation to a social event without feeling guilty about it. Society (and sometimes our family and friends) may make you feel as if you are "failing" them if you don't come to every event that you are invited to. Too much social pressure adds unnecessary stress to your life.
2. Resist the fear of displeasing people when you decline an invitation to a social event. Many people go to functions they don't want to go to and don't even have the time to go to, simply out of fear that the person who invited them will be angry, upset or disappointed. Don't allow people to control you by talking you into doing something you don't want to do. If they get upset with you, they will get over it or they aren't a true friend anyway.
3. Avoid going into lengthy explanations and excuses when you decline an invitation to a social event. You don't owe anyone a detailed account of your personal life. Simply say that you aren't able to attend and leave it at that.
4. Have a pleasant attitude and remain calm if someone presses you for a reason when you decline an invitation to a social event. Don't become defensive. Tell them you are sorry for causing disappointment, but your schedule simply can't fit another thing in right now.