Hit me with your excuses to get out of FaceTime/zoom calls

[AuntieSocia1]

I haven't put this in AIBU because I know I am. I should feel very fortunate to have friends and family who want to keep in touch and I do feel that way but I'm finding it hard to have no excuse to go on video calls since lockdown if that makes sense.

So as not to drip feed I suffer from a chronic illness which fatigue is a big part but I think that's hard to understand it being a barrier when I don't need to leave the house so I think saying I'm too tired for a call doesn't sound reasonable without sounding like I can't be bothered!

So- any good excuses? Are there other camera shy energy zapped mnetters out there?

Couldn't be face timing people....that woukd drive me mad.

We text and i have a few people i need to chat to...
Constant face timing would be very stressful.

Don't make an excuse otherwise you need another next time an so on. I hate video chat and ive told them so now I just get phone calls instead. There's only one person I video chat with an that's my 11 year old when he at his dads.

Oh god this is me

Especially when it's on behalf of your 6 year old 😱

Zoom, tell them it tells you the internet is unstable and has disconnected you...

"I don't like you"
"You and your DH (especially your DH) are both complete knobs"
"We already see each other once a year at Christmas, that's more than enough for me"
"why do you suddenly want to skype at Easter just because we're on lockdown?"

Was sorely tempted to use these gems with DH's cousin earlier today, but of course I didn't. Pity.

My phone was on silent and I didn't hear it ringing.
Turn your phone off (tell people later your battery died and you didn't notice).
You left your phone in the kitchen/bedroom/bathroom and didn't hear it ringing.
You were too engrossed in a film/box set and couldn't be torn away from it.
If you have an OH, it's Date Night this evening and have a no phones policy.

@AuntieSocia1 just to say that I get you.
I have ME and totally get what you mean when you say you are too tired for Skype/zoom.
And the feeling you have to spare everyone's feelings because they wouldn't understand.

I found that having boundaries helps. So say yes to a call but only for half an hour not 1.5 hour. You can have a webinar you want to watch live so have to leave? You want to cook a complicated meal where you need to do some prep ahead of time (marinade?)
I have been saying to people that I can only do half an hour because I have many calls like and otherwise spend my day on the phone/computer.

"I don't want to"

I often say something like "no because I hate you all". It works as people tend to think you're joking