Right off the bat, anyone will tell you that the feeling sucks when you let someone down. Whether you’re bailing on an event, a friend, a workout class whatever – it’s the simple fact that you agreed to do something with someone that you would do something and you didn’t – and you know that? That is ok! Here are some strategies I like to use when this comes up:

• Track your cycle – This helps me a TON, where I will do my best to plan events mainly during my follicular and ovulation phase, which is when i am more likely to feel social

• If I know I’m going to bail and it’s a head of time -I let them know ASAP, the more notice you give, the more time you give them to adjust plans or fill that event

• Be kind to yourself – I am very familiar of the guilt and shame that come alone with bailing on anything, so beating yourself up after doesn’t help yourself or anybody. You clearly need the rest and something about that event just wasn’t doing it for you – instead, take the time to ask yourself what exactly wasn’t sitting well with you about that event. You didn’t want to go to and explore that. This will help get to know yourself more and perhaps help you not do it again.

• Say Yes Less – When someone asks you to do something, instead of saying yes right off the bat, acknowledge the ask and say something like “thank for asking/thinking of me! That sounds really fun, let me just check my schedule and I’ll let you know by_______” – this is good because a) you are showing you are grateful for the invite, b) you are not committing, and it gives you time to process/feel out if you want to do it c) you provided a timeline for when you’ll get back to them, so you’re not leaving them hanging. I feel like if you don’t give the time when you’ll get back to them that may come across like you’re not interested and we don’t to give that vibe!

• Attend Events only if they offer a cancellation & refund policy – This helps take the pressure off so if you do change your mind, you’re not out of pocket – but do try to do this within the respected timeline (aka. the earlier the better)

• Nurture the friendship outside of the events you spend with them – Remember the little things that matter here as well, not just the quality time. Ex. remember their birthdays, the little things they tell you, follow up and ask how the event they went to was – literally add these small events they have in their life to your calendar – this may sound creepy but the fact that you remembered, shows that you care about them.

Hope this helps!