How to politely refuse

[CaptBirdsEar]

it's end of season at our static park, my neighbours are all here packing up, they’re goi g to invite me to join them all tonight, as per usual at end of season, but I don’t want to go. I’m on my own. No partner. I find social interaction difficult. How do I refuse?

Thank you, but I'm feeling tired and just want to have an early night. Have a nice time .

Thanks but I'm not in the mood for socialising at the moment.

Leave early?!

Thanks, but I've already got plans this evening.

It's not difficult, you don't need to overthink it.

Thanks for the invite, but I’ve got plans for later. Have a lovely time though.

This. "Thanks for the invitation, I'll be there! I'm afraid that I have to leave early but it will be lovely to have a quick end-of-season get together."

Do not elaborate on the reasons for leaving early. Do not open yourself to questioning.

Go for 10 mins, greet everyone, thank them for being great neighbours etc and then leave saying you need to get back.

Sorry, got a date with Strictly tonight.

Oh i’d love to but i have plans.

Stops every invite in its tracks. Polite but makes no clear.

Thanks, I'll look in later if I can, but I have some phone calls to make first.

"That sounds great but, unfortunately I won't be able to make it. I hope you have a wonderful time and see you next season"

Say you've got a diarrhoea and vomiting bug.

Go to the party but regretfully someone rings (with bad news) and you have to leave.

Can you leave this afternoon?

That's ridiculous. Why should the OP change her plans instead of just saying one of the many similar suggestions above?. Running away, because that's what she would be doing, instead of saying two sentences that nobody will remark on, is letting her fear control her

I didn’t go, I explained that I had a migraine coming on. Enjoyed catching up with the traitors instead. 😀