‘People feel they don’t owe anyone anything’: the rise in ‘flaking’ out of social plans
Some call to drop out of events at late notice – even weddings and funerals. Self-care? Others call it selfishness
“I have noticed a rise in people cancelling plans,” said Tim, 44, a solicitor from Canberra, Australia. “It can be annoying, but I also understand the feeling of something seeming like a good idea when it is in the future, then not feeling like going [on the day]. I have adjusted my mindset so I almost expect 50% of [everyday] social plans not to happen.”
Tim was among people from the UK, the US, Australia and elsewhere who shared with the Guardian how they experienced “flaking” – the cancelling of plans at often short notice owing to not being in the mood, feeling demotivated or tired, or wanting to do something else instead – a phenomenon that many felt had become more prevalent.
Continue reading...
Read more at The Guardian
-
Don’t Count Out Human Writers in the Age of AI
The appetite for AI-derived drivel isn’t as strong as many publishers would have you believe, and demand for quality content is growing.Wired - 5h -
Canada’s Liberal Leader Is Out. Don’t Forget How He Got In to Begin With
Canada’s Justin Trudeau is resigning. There’s a lesson for business leaders about how he came to be prime minister in the first place.Inc. - 1d -
A very nice man is interested in me, but I don’t feel a spark
Why not see what happens when you prioritise someone who offers you stability and decency?. The question Last year I joined a choir where I became friends with a very nice man. Two months ago, ...The Guardian - 3d -
This is how we do it: ‘We don’t share the intimate details of the sex we have with other people’
Lachlan and Agnes are in an ethical non-monogamous relationship but get frustrated when couples exploit the concept as a tool for bad behaviour. How do you do it? Share the story of your sex ...The Guardian - 4d -
The Papers: Social care 'cop-out' and 'Nice Littler earner'
Labour's social care reforms and Luke Littler's darts world title win lead Saturday's newspapers.BBC News - 4d -
A(nother) Government Plan for Social Care
Health and Social Care Secretary promises to "grasp the nettle on social care reform”BBC News - 4d -
Biden's final actions as president leave some trans people feeling unsupported
With Donald Trump days away from taking office after piling on transgender people throughout his campaign, some worry Joe Biden did not do enough to shield them from what’s likely to come.NBC News - 4d -
Streeting defends 2028 timescale for long-term social care plans
The first steps to creating a National Care Service are announced - but critics say the pace of the plan "feels far too long".BBC News - 4d -
Biden's final actions as president leave some transgender people feeling unsupported
Some transgender people worry President Joe Biden did not do enough to shield them from the torrent of Trump policies to comeABC News - 5d
More from The Guardian
-
France warns Donald Trump against threatening EU ‘sovereign borders’
Foreign minister hits out after US president-elect refuses to rule out military action to take control of Greenland. France has warned Donald Trump against threatening the “sovereign borders” of ...The Guardian - 2h -
EU Commission urged to act over Elon Musk’s ‘interference’ in elections
MEPs say enforcement of Digital Services Acts has been ‘too slow’, as Musk plans livestream with German far-right politician. The EU executive has been “too slow” in enforcing a major law intended ...The Guardian - 1h -
California wildfires live: more than 1,400 firefighters tackling three separate fires around LA
California’s governor says emergency services are ‘all hands on deck’ as wildfire spreads through Pacific Palisades. Celebrities among thousands to flee homes as LA wildfires rage Explainer: ...The Guardian - 22m -
Facebook is ushering in a ‘world without facts’, says Nobel peace prize winner
Maria Ressa says decision to end factchecking in US means ‘dangerous times ahead’ for journalism and democracy. The Nobel peace prize winner Maria Ressa has said that Meta’s decision to end ...The Guardian - 27m -
Italian journalist Cecilia Sala freed from detention in Iran
Sala, who had been detained since 19 December, is flying home, Italian PM’s office says. Cecilia Sala, an Italian journalist detained in solitary confinement in Iran, has been freed and is heading ...The Guardian - 1h
More in World
-
California wildfires live: more than 1,400 firefighters tackling three separate fires around LA
California’s governor says emergency services are ‘all hands on deck’ as wildfire spreads through Pacific Palisades. Celebrities among thousands to flee homes as LA wildfires rage Explainer: ...The Guardian - 22m -
Trump ‘considering national economic emergency declaration’ to allow new tariffs; UK borrowing costs rise again – business live
Bond selloff drives yield on 10-year UK bonds to highest since 2008 financial crisis. Rise in UK borrowing costs could push Reeves to new public spending cuts Two UK investment trusts have ...The Guardian - 22m -
Keir Starmer claims new inquiry would delay action on child grooming gangs until 2031 – UK politics live
Prime minister says any new inquiry into child abuse would delay progress as Kemi Badenoch says ‘be a leader, not a lawyer’. Reform UK has also tabled a reasoned amendment to the children’s ...The Guardian - 25m -
Facebook is ushering in a ‘world without facts’, says Nobel peace prize winner
Maria Ressa says decision to end factchecking in US means ‘dangerous times ahead’ for journalism and democracy. The Nobel peace prize winner Maria Ressa has said that Meta’s decision to end ...The Guardian - 27m -
Trump asks US supreme court to halt sentencing in New York criminal case
President-elect turns to nation’s top court after New York appeals court denied bid to pause criminal proceedings. Donald Trump has asked the US supreme court to pause criminal proceedings in his ...The Guardian - 31m