Anyone else have this problem with friends and holidays?

[Food Lady]

Of course there will be a big BBQ today and tomorrow for Memorial Day. And of course I am in the middle of my workweek. I should be taking a nap right now; I'm exhausted. I work the bulk of my hours on weekends, and last night my legs hurt for so long that I got to bed at 2:30 am. I had to get up around 8:30. I could go to the BBQ tomorrow for work, but I need some rest, too. For me that means sleeping in (physical rest) and going to the park for an hour alone (mental rest after having people come at me all weekend at work). The rest of the time will involve taking care of some business I couldn't get done over the weekend and getting some cooking/laundry done so I have stuff to take/wear to work.
I don't know how to tell my friends that even though I could hang with them, I don't want to. I know they'll feel like I don't want to see them, which isn't true. I just need a bit of a break, as it's not even a day off for me. I almost wish I were doing a mid-shift instead of closing, so I'd have an excuse.

[csquared]

Some people just don't understand retail. I think The Wife finally got her mother trained.

Just say "Sorry. I'm working." They don't need to know what your shift is.

Rest up and relax. Hope the weather is good for your park time.

[Pixilated]

Almost anybody who works, no matter at what, should understand the need for quiet, alone down-time. If you explain this to your friends exactly as you've told it to us ... need to do laundry, want some time alone to quiet the ringing in your ears and the pandemonium in your brain ... wouldn't they understand that? Or just, "Sorry, I'd really love to, but I've got a ton of chores I need to catch up on."

Or, as csquared said, "Sorry, I'm working." And just look sad.

[Food Lady]

I did say "I'm working," which prompted the question "What time?" I suppose I should be vague and say "In the afternoon." It's late afternoon, but still technically truthful.

[malmalthekiller]

I do that a lot - such as this weekend. I find honestly to be the best policy. If you don't want to be honest, just seem vaguely busy, like you suggested.

[mathnerd]

You really are under no obligation to explain yourself. It's perfectly polite to say something like, "I'd really love to go, but it's just not possible this time. I hope you guys have a blast!"

[kpzra]

I've always had friends who work retail (as I have at times) so I'd tell them to stop in and say hi and grab a plate to go if they could when we would have a cookout. If not, no big deal there's all summer to bbq. I had a few who pushed me on coming when I worked 3rd shift (2200-0600) but most understood.

If they said they couldn't I never pressed it. I have too many military friends who really don't do crowds.

[Sakka]

I get that all the time Food Lady. Unfortunately, due to work schedules, I am never invited to any kind of get togethers anymore.

[Kheldarson]

I'd ask if there's another time you can get with them as well. I just dropped a friend because I'd invite her to do stuff but get the "I'm busy; maybe later" excuse every time. She'd never get back with me.

Your friends will understand if you're not up to things. Especially if you make time later.

[Jester]

"I'm very busy with work and other things in my life, and while I'd love to go, I just can't squeeze it in this time."