Lifestyle
5 Creative & Believable Excuses To Use When You Want To Ditch A Plan

by Tessa Harvey

If you have a lot of friends and a hectic schedule, making plans can be a challenge. It's so easy to over-commit and leave yourself with way too many plans and absolutely no free time. In the moment, what you really want to do is go out drinking with the girls or see a late-night movie. But unfortunately, when it comes to the day of, ditching the plan so you can chill home and watch a movie on the couch sounds a lot more appealing. If you relate to this, you may be wondering how to get out of plans seamlessly when you're just not about them.

It's really nothing personal. It's just that, between work and all of your other responsibilities, you've had almost no time to yourself, and the last thing that you want to do is leave your bed, get ready, and go out for an undetermined amount of time. If you can't already tell, I've been there, too.

Sometimes, no matter how mad your friends might be, the best option for your sanity is to just ditch the plan. And, obviously, you don't want to straight-up admit that you just want to relax instead. Once in a blue moon you need an excuse that's a bit more tactful than that. You need an alibi so good your friends will understand immediately. These five plan-ditching excuses are for these times and these times only. Use them wisely, friends.

01
The Apple Care Hold Line Is Infinite
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This one works because it is SO ACCURATE. Apple Care hold lines hit at the absolute worst times, am I right? Your friend will understand that you can't hang up, because you'll just lose your place in line and will have to start the whole process all over again.

The squad will actually feel bad that you are missing out on the plan and actually miserable on the phone. Consider this a winning white lie. But be wary, because it's not good for more than one use. Your friends will catch on pretty quickly.

02
Your Next Door Neighbor's Dog Just Escaped
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Picture this: You're sitting on your porch, minding your own business, when you suddenly see your neighbor's dog walking off down the street, then breaking into a sprint. Your neighbor is gone, probably off at their own plans, so the dog-rescue is on you.

What friend wouldn't understand that? Of course you have to cancel plans; your neighbor's poor dog is out there, in the wild city all alone. Luckily, you're "there" to save it. Meanwhile, your bed is calling you back...

03
Your Washer Broke And There Is Water Everywhere
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This scenario is urgent, which makes it the perfect plan-ditching excuse. There's literally no time, but you're still letting your friend know you can't make it. While you're chatting on the phone, your laundry room is literally filled with puddles of water, okay? Give me drama, give me extra AF. This act needs to be Oscar-worthy.

Warning: This excuse only works if your friends are also really into their plans. They may, instead, ditch their plans in an effort to help you. In which case, you may very well suck as a person, and I'm sorry for leading you astray.

04
Your Landlord Needs You Home For Routine Maintenance
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This one works, too, because it's true. For some reason, my landlord picks the most inopportune times to fix things in my apartment. For that reason, it's not too weird if you can't make it to your 6 p.m. dinner because maintenance is running late again.

On the low, you might get away with using this excuse a few times if it's well-spaced out. Just don't let your friends meet your landlord because they'll wanna scream at him on your behalf, probably.

05
You're Staying Late At Work To Impress Your Boss
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C'mon, your friends can't be mad at you for wanting to get ahead. But don't let yourself fall into the trap of believing this lie. You're not actually staying at work, so don't trick yourself into believing you deserve a promotion. Better idea? Put in the work for real and this excuse isn't fake AF.