The Friend Who Always Cancels Last Minute

We all have that one friend — you know the type. They're always excited about plans, sending you messages about how much they’re looking forward to your epic weekend adventure, only to cancel last minute. It’s a classic case of “FOMO” (fear of missing out) turning into “FOMW” (fear of missing work or actual things they prioritize).

Imagine this scene: You’ve spent all week looking forward to that Saturday night hangout. You pick an outfit, get all dressed up, and just as you’re about to leave, you get that dreaded notification. “Hey, I can’t make it tonight! Something came up!” Cue the disappointment. But it doesn’t end there!

These canceling friends often follow up with a plethora of excuses, ranging from “I forgot I had a family emergency” to “I just really needed a night in.” It’s like they have a cancellation excuse book ready to go!

Your mind races as you think, “Is it me? Did I do something to make them not want to hang out?” But then, you remember they’ve pulled this stunt before. It’s a cycle, and it seems you’re caught in a friendship version of “Groundhog Day.”

As frustrating as it is, it’s essential to not take it personally. Some people genuinely don't know how to manage their time. Some might feel overwhelmed by social commitments yet crave connection — leading to these last-minute cancelations!

So, what can you do? Embrace the unpredictability! Use this time to indulge in self-care, binge-watch your favorite shows, or try something new you’ve been wanting to do alone. Maybe plan for a backup friend who is just as reliable as your steadfast plans but is open to living in the spontaneous chaos of last-minute decisions!

In the end, we love our friends, cancelations and all. They might just need a little reminder that it’s okay to reschedule, rather than leave us hanging. After all, a friendship can withstand a few last-minute changes—unless they become a regular occurrence. In that case, it might be time to have a heart-to-heart.