Maybe it’s just me, but these days I find myself choosing a night in versus one out on the town. This is saying a lot coming from a person who’s carried the title of social butterfly since my early days hosting sleepovers and sundae parties at the age of 6.
Fast forward, I’m 22, on the cusp of 23, gravitating more toward a night on my couch accompanied by a Hugh Grant flick. Sometimes I’ll ring a friend, other times I’m perfectly content with my own company and the charming wit of Bridget Jones.
This statement probably sounds bizarre coming from a college student, but I’m not the only 20-something whose party participation can be limited.
The other day my friend and I bounced from topic to topic exchanging our feelings about Sydney Sweeney’s out-of-touch Spring 2026 Cosmopolitan spread, to reminiscing about coming of age stories and somewhere in between we shared our thoughts regarding the importance of knowing how to read a room in any situation.
This brings me to the point of this column: knowing how to read a room means you also know when to leave the party.
This concept applies to multiple things in life, one being actual parties, friendships and relationships. As the wise starlet and “philosopher” Nicole Richie once said, “I mean, you can go home if you’re not having fun.”
That’s become one of my life’s mottos.
This concept also applies to friend groups, because let’s be honest-sometimes that “party” can run its course. We’ve all been there, stepping out the door knowing we’re seconds away from freedom.
Either way, when the party is no longer enjoyable, when it no longer suits you, leave.
In life, you can either stick around until everyone is tired and over everything, or you can be 30 minutes ahead of them, already back at your place, changing out of your jeans into your cozy sweats — literally and metaphorically.
Sometimes you have to be the first one to do things a little differently.
A part of maturing and adulting is understanding the reality of establishing boundaries and recognizing expiration patterns. Know when to make an exit.
Have you ever had fun the first hour out and then regretted venturing over to the next or next-next spot on the itinerary? Have you ever wished you could freeze the moment of fun before things could possibly go left? Most things in life do indeed have an expiration.
You never want to bring the vibes down during an outing or special occasion, so the moment you feel like your social battery is dying, you should look for the nearest exit. This works in personal and professional settings.
Before you deliver lackluster work or pointless conversation, go home, Roger.
Calling it a night doesn’t make you a bore; it just makes you a responsible person who values their time. Incidentally, everyone around you will also likely learn to value your time and presence more when you do.
It’s not about being rude, it’s about showing your co-workers, friends and, most importantly, yourself respect.
In these uncertain times, self-awareness as well as situational awareness are more important now than ever before.
Remember, the next time your gut or your discernment nudges you, listen and leave on your own terms.
Ava Francis is a 22-year-old journalism major from New Orleans.
