"Overcoming the Fear of Saying No to Social Invitations"

Research shows that declining social invitations does not have as severe social consequences as feared, and there are downsides to not saying no, including discomfort and missed opportunities. People tend to overestimate the negative effects of rejecting invitations, but experiencing rejection helps recalibrate these perceptions. When declining invitations, it's important to be clear and considerate, addressing the challenges of saying no and suggesting alternative plans.