Q: Hey Bestie,
I like going out, but my friends go hard every weekend, and I’m starting to get burned out. If I skip a night, they make me feel like I’m missing out or being lame. I don’t want to lose my social life, but I also don’t want to be exhausted all the time. How do I say no without feeling guilty?
—Partied Out
A: Hey Partied Out,
FOMO is real, but so is burnout. The trick is setting boundaries without making it a big deal. Instead of a hard no, try a not this time, but let’s do something later approach. “Hey, I’m sitting this one out, but I’ll catch up with you guys tomorrow” keeps you in the loop without the guilt trip. And if they still push? That’s on them, not you. Real friends won’t drop you just because you skipped a night at the bar. Plus, imagine how refreshed you’ll feel when they’re all nursing hangovers and you’re well-rested. Balance is key. Own your nights in just as much as your nights out.
—Bestie