It’s the kind of text that fills me with dread. A friend—not a super close one, but one I like—wanted my help with her English lit essay. The deadline was Monday. She’d only need a few hours of my time. Could she come over this weekend?
As my fingers loomed over the keys, I glanced at my planner and chewed it over. Hmm. I could probably squeeze her into my Saturday or Sunday if I switched a few things around, woke up earlier, stayed up later and skipped yoga with my mom. But even just thinking about it, I was already super stressed.
The truth was, I just didn’t want to do it. I wanted to have those hours to tackle my mountain of homework. And then just chill. Part of me wanted to “be nice” and “help out a friend.” And while I do love being a nice, helpful friend, sometimes, the answer is “not this time.”
It was awkward, but I made my decision. I was ready to text back and say “no.” But here’s the thing: Saying no, even when you aren’t on the fence about it, can still be tricky. Especially when you’re nervous about damaging the relationship.
The good news is that turning people down gets easier with practice and repetition. And having the right script—a starting point, so you’re not staring at a blank screen—can make all the difference.
So, whether you need to ditch a bud, a bae or a babysitting gig, here’s your step-by-step to a speedy exit off any route that’s going awry.
THE PERSON WHO’S CRUSHING ON YOU
THE SITCH
The semi-obnoxious guy in Spanish class likes you. He says he wants to study vocab together. It’d be one thing if he were nice enough to be friends with—or someone you were actually into— but he doesn’t really fit into either category.
この記事は Girls' Life magazine の April/May 2020 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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この記事は Girls' Life magazine の April/May 2020 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
YOUR CLOSET IS ACTUALLY FULL OF Cash
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WHAT'S YOUR LIFE PATH NUMBER?
ASTROLOGY GIRLIES, LISTEN UP: NUMEROLOGY JUST BECAME YOUR NEWEST OBSESSION.
NO MORE SUMMERTIME Sadness
School's out, the sun is shining and you're feeling...down in the dumps? Despite sleeping in, the newfound freedom from homework assignments, endless hours of leisure time and pool days aplenty, something's got you in a major funk.
Hey girl drink your water
In case you needed another reason to hit *add to cart* on that trendy tumbler...
grief
KENNEDY MURPHY WAS JUST 5 YEARS OLD WHEN HER DAD DIED-AND HER WORLD WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED. A DECADE LATER, SHE'S SHARING HOW SHE LIVES WITH LOSS AND HOW SHE HELPS OTHER KIDS COPE.
Who's Your sunny Szn Bestie?
Your bsf packed her bags for sleepaway camp, leaving you stuck at home, hoping to find a friend to fill her flip-flops. So, in her absence, who's your go-to gal gonna be for the next 10 weeks?
PRESENTING YOUR no drama summer
You tell your dad you’re grabbing pizza with the girls…when you’re really headed on a date with that cutie from swim team.
Dear Carol
FRIENDS OR MORE? So I'm friends with this boy. People always assume he likes me because he is super nice to me and always smiles at me and stuff. What should I do?
5 SUMMERY LOVEVE RULES TO LIVE BY
Sooo what exactly does a girl have to do to make her \"Cruel Summer\" fantasy a reality?
WE KNOW WHAT YOUR CRUSH IS THINKING
That infamous \"I think we should break up\" text pops up (ouch). Or your situationship keeps saying they can't wait to hang out with you...until band practice, math homework, a pickup game and, well, just about anything else happens to get in the way.