Dear Mel,

I’m getting tired of always going out on the weekends with my friends and partying, but I don’t know what to say to them because I don’t want to be the only girl who doesn’t. What can I say to make them understand sometimes I need a break?  

      — N.C.

Contact Melissa Puppo at [email protected].

Dear N.C.

Sometimes going out constantly can be a little annoying, especially with how terrible the weather has been, and let’s be honest — you can only dance at frat houses so much before it gets old.

I think you should just tell them that you want to switch it up every now and then. If they want to go out and dance or drink and do whatever they do, then that’s fine, but don’t feel that it is going to ruin your friendship. They should understand.

What you can also do is recommend other fun things for you and your friends to try so you don’t freeze on a Saturday night while trying to find a party. I’m pretty sure your friends would be down to have a movie night and order Insomnia cookies. Let them know you would just like to have a chill night every now and then, and you’d like for them to join. If they say they want to drink, suggest a wine night. You can still have fun while staying in, and those can even be the most memorable nights.  

My friends and I definitely try to have game or movie nights. Play Jenga, Spoons, card games — it’s all fun with the right people. Just make sure everyone keeps an open mind. If you have a negative mindset and don’t want to play cards, you’re not going to have fun playing cards. Let those people head downtown without you, because they’ll just put a damper on your night.

Bottom line, don’t feel like you have to make your friends happy. I recommend you all switch it up, and if they’re not on board, don’t think it’s a big deal that you miss one night of going out. We have plenty of weekends left, and how exciting is that house party you’re opting out of really going to be? It’s not the end of the world. Who knows, you may be able to catch up on homework, or at least finish that show you’ve been watching on Netflix.

      — XO, Mel