3 min read
Saying no, or leaving early
Declining invitations kindly and leaving gracefully, so you protect your energy without guilt.
You don't have to go to everything
Choosing which events to attend is part of looking after your energy. Saying no to some invitations means you can show up properly for the ones that matter.
A clear, kind no
A short, warm decline is better than a vague maybe. You don't need to give a detailed reason.
Say: Thank you so much for the invitation. I can't make it this time, but I hope it's a wonderful evening.
Say: I'm going to sit this one out, but I'd love to catch up properly soon. Coffee next week?
Say: That sounds lovely, but I've got a full week. Please keep me in mind for the next one.
Going for part of it
If an event matters to someone you care about, going for an hour is often better than not going at all. Tell the host early that you can only stay a while, and it won't feel abrupt when you leave.
Leaving gracefully
When it's time, thank the host, say goodbye to the people you talked to most, and go. A clean exit is kinder than lingering when you're spent.
Say: I'm going to head off now. Thank you so much for having me.
Say: I can only stay a little while tonight, but I really wanted to come and say hello.