Is It Wrong to Cancel Plans?

Art by Carolyn Ridsdale

Sasha says: I told my best friend, Matilda, we’d hang out on Friday. Today, my newest friend, Alex, invited me to a Billie Eilish concert that same night. I want to go, but I don’t want to hurt Matilda. What should I do?

Art by Carolyn Ridsdale

Mike says: Hang out with Matilda!

You know what drives me crazy? When someone changes plans at the last minute. I know seeing Billie Eilish seems like the most important thing in the world right now. But I really don’t think you should cancel on Matilda. Think about it: How will she feel? Not only are you going to an awesome concert without your best friend—you’re also canceling plans with her so you can go.

I’ve had a good friend ditch me for someone else, and it really hurts. So I think you have to be prepared for Matilda to be seriously upset. Is one night of fun worth possibly ruining your friendship?

Thank Alex for inviting you, but explain that you had planned to hang out with Matilda that night. I’m sure he can find someone else to go. And you’ll show him what kind of friend he can count on in the future: the kind who sticks to plans!

Mike says: Hang out with Matilda!

You know what drives me crazy? When someone changes plans at the last minute. I know seeing Billie Eilish seems really important right now. But I don’t think you should cancel on Matilda. Think about it: How will she feel? You’re going to an awesome concert without her, and you’re canceling plans with her so you can go.

I’ve had a good friend ditch me for someone else, and it really hurts. So I think Matilda might be very upset. Is one night of fun worth risking your friendship?

Thank Alex for inviting you, but explain that you have plans with Matilda. I’m sure he can find someone else to go. And you’ll show him what kind of friend you are: the kind who sticks to plans!

Mike says: Hang out with Matilda!

I find it really frustrating when someone changes plans at the last minute. I know seeing Billie Eilish might seem incredibly important right now, but I don’t think that’s an acceptable reason to cancel on Matilda. Imagine how she’ll feel, knowing that you’re going to an awesome concert without your best friend—and you’re also canceling plans with her so you can go.

I’ve had a good friend ditch me for someone else, and it really hurts. I think you have to be prepared for Matilda to be seriously offended. Is one night of fun worth potentially destroying your friendship?

I suggest you thank Alex for inviting you, but explain that you already had plans to hang out with Matilda that night. I’m sure he can find someone else to go, and you’ll be showing him what kind of friend he can count on in the future: the kind who sticks to plans!

Art by Carolyn Ridsdale

Destiny says: Do what sounds more fun to you.

Close your eyes and picture yourself hanging out with Matilda. You’re watching movies and eating those cookies her dad makes. Now picture yourself at the Billie Eilish concert, dancing and singing along. Ask yourself: Which looks more fun? Based on your question, I’m guessing it’s the concert.

The truth is, it’s easy to get caught up in what other people want from you. So you have to remember to ask yourself what you want. You might disappoint someone, but that’s part of life. Who knows when you’ll get another chance to see Billie Eilish?

Sure, it’s not nice to cancel plans with your best friend. But sometimes really special experiences come up. I think this is one of those rare times. If you kindly ask Matilda to reschedule, she should understand. If not, that’s her problem. It would be pretty selfish of her to make you feel bad for taking the concert ticket. So I say go to the show and have a blast! (Just don’t post on Instagram. It might make Matilda feel extra left out.)

Destiny says: Do what sounds more fun to you.

Close your eyes and picture yourself hanging out with Matilda. You’re watching movies and eating those cookies her dad makes. Now picture yourself at the concert, dancing and singing along. Ask yourself: Which looks more fun? Based on your question, I’m guessing it’s the concert.

It’s easy to get caught up in what other people want from you. So you have to remember to ask yourself what you want. You might disappoint someone, but that’s part of life. Who knows when you’ll get another chance to see Billie Eilish?

Sure, it’s not nice to cancel plans with your best friend. But sometimes special experiences come up. I think this is one of those times. If you kindly ask Matilda to reschedule, she should understand. If not, that’s her problem. It would be selfish of her to make you feel bad for taking the concert ticket. I say go to the show and have fun! (Just don’t post on Instagram. It might make Matilda feel extra left out.)

Destiny says: Do what sounds more fun to you.

Close your eyes and picture yourself hanging out with Matilda, watching movies and eating those cookies her dad makes. Now imagine yourself at the Billie Eilish concert, dancing and singing along. Ask yourself: Which looks more fun? Based on your question, I’m guessing it’s the concert.

It’s easy to get caught up in what other people want from you, so you have to remember to ask yourself what you want. You might disappoint someone, but that can’t always be avoided. Who knows when you’ll get another chance to see Billie Eilish?

Of course it isn’t nice to cancel plans with your best friend—but sometimes really special opportunities come up, and I think this is one of those rare times. If you respectfully ask Matilda to reschedule, she should understand. It would be pretty selfish of her to make you feel guilty for accepting Alex’s invitation. My advice is to go to the concert and have a blast! (Just don’t post on Instagram—it might make Matilda feel extra left out.)

Enter Our Contest!
Enter Our Contest! Mike and Destiny gave Sasha their advice. Now what would you do? Write a paragraph and send it to “WWYD Contest” by February 1, 2020. Three winners will each get a $25 Visa gift card. Click here for complete contest rules.