For example, look at events like a boss’s birthday party or a mixer with members of your graduate program. These events allow you to make connections and keep up good relationships at work and school. It’s probably a bad idea to miss such events. However, other events are low-key. If your friends are having a bowling night, for example, it won’t hurt your career to skip out.
For example, your friend may be hurt if you skip their birthday party. Friends may also be hurt if you made a strong commitment to something. If you and your friends have been planning a camping trip for months, for example, it may be a bad idea to skip it at the last minute. Social events that are less important can usually be avoided without too much trouble. For example, if your friends have a movie night every week it’s unlikely anyone will feel too bad if you stay at home one day.
If you’re very close to some of the people attending, you’re more likely to have meaningful interactions that will help you feel refreshed upon leaving. However, if it’s mostly strangers and acquaintances, you may not have as much fun.
If you want to go out even though money is tight, try limiting how much you spend. Bring cash instead of relying on a debit card and only spend as much cash as you have on you. Unless you’re making a ton of money, it’s unrealistic to go out every single night of the week. If you’re trying to be financially responsible, staying in might be the way to go.
Think about your interactions with people lately. Have you been craving human connection? Have interactions been sparse or negative? If you’re craving interactions with others, spending time alone could make you unhappy. It may be best to go out and see others. However, if you’ve been spending a lot of time with people lately, you may benefit from a night alone. If you’re not strongly craving companionship, going out may just stress you out more. In this case, you may want to stay in and do something on your own, like reading a book or watching a movie.
For example, if you’ve been working overtime you may not have the energy to get dressed and go out. If it’s a been a normal week, however, it may not take too much motivation to throw on some clothes and head out the door.
Have you been stuck in a rut lately in regards to your social circle? If you’ve been craving new friends and new experiences, try going out and chatting with new people. However, you may not be looking to make new friends right now. You may also simply not be in a very social mood. If you’re not feeling social, you’re unlikely to interact with new people even if you want to. In this case, it may be best to stay in for the night.
You may be inclined to stay in if an event is very formal and you’re not in the mood to dress up. If you don’t feel like doing your hair and makeup and putting on your best clothes, stay in. However, if you’re feeling in a dressy mood, you may relish the excuse to dress up. If an event is more casual, it may be easier to motivate yourself to throw on jeans and a t-shirt. However, if you prefer to stay in your pajamas for the night, it’s okay to stay in even for a casual event.
Be sure to be polite when proposing this. It may be considered impolite if plans have been set for awhile.
