Hey there, currently facing a dilemma.
I’m not able to go back to my origin country for the holidays due to money, scheduling, flying in the winter being miserable, being horribly depressed just stuck in my parents house, and a friend recently moving to my new country and wanting to be there for them.
How do I even begin to tell my family that I’m not coming back? They’re trying to include me in a gift exchange (without having asked…), and just fully expect me to come back like I did last year. I’ve told them I don’t know about vacation time yet, but I’m not really sure what to say at this point.
Do I just lie and say I couldn’t get the time approved? Or do I tell the truth that I just don’t want to do all that travel and spend all that money…
Just put on the big boy pants and tell them that you’re not coming this year. You don’t need to make excuses but you can say that “money, scheduling, flying in the winter being miserable, being horribly depressed just stuck in my parents house, and a friend recently moving to my new country and wanting to be there for them.”
Those are called reasons, not excuses - if you want to tell them. But if you don’t want to tell them then just don’t.
Saying oh it cost too much will make someone offer to pay even though they won’t… But they won’t be able to do much about those others.
Tell them you like them and you enjoy being around them but you’re not going to be able to do it this year. They are welcome to pay and travel to you if it is so important.