A good excuse is like a good bra or a good pair of shoes—the one you always reach for because you’re confident it’ll support you in all the right ways. When faced with uncomfortable situations, many of us reach for these phrases that act as easy get-out-of-jail cards because if one thing is for certain, life is always going to throw us a curveball that could range from a tiny hiccup to a full-blown soap opera drama.
Making excuses can sometimes feel like bicycles with training wheels—reliable and comforting, but ultimately holding us back from real growth. We use them to avoid fear, failure, or anything requiring effort. They feel justified at the moment but can quietly chip away at our potential in the long run.
What do you say to avoid confronting life’s challenging moments or to get yourself out of sticky situations? Here’s what most of us say.
1. I Don’t Have Time
This has become a reflex today (and sometimes even a slight way to flex your busyness). Often, time isn’t the problem—it’s actually your priorities. What we really mean is, “It’s not important enough to me right now.” We all have 24 hours a day, but how we spend them says a lot about our priorities.
“Have you exercised lately?” “Oh, I just don’t have the time!” If you can’t seem to make time for something you’ve deemed a life goal, it might be time to rethink how you’re actually spending your hours. We can’t do everything, but the things that matter most deserve our attention, even when they’re hard or unpleasant.
2. I’m Not Good At That
This is a classic one. The moment we hit a roadblock, we bail out with, “I’m just not good at that.” The only thing we’re born good at is perhaps crying. No one is born an expert at anything else. The person you’re comparing yourself to didn’t wake up one day knowing how to do a perfect backflip—they practiced, they failed, fell flat on their stomach, and they tried again.
When we say we’re not good at something, we’re often giving up before giving it an adequate go. Instead of dismissing ourselves with this excuse, we should ask, “How can I get better?”. Every skill requires effort and trust me, you’re far more capable than you think.
3. What If I Fail?
The fear of failure is a lot like that uncomfortable sweater we keep wearing just because it’s familiar, even though it’s scratchy and ill-fitting. Some of us imagine the worst-case scenarios as if failure is some sort of final judgment.
You’ll probably fail, but that’s not the worst that could happen. What’s worse is not even trying in the first place. How about you ask yourself, “What can I learn if I fail?”. Failure is a stepping stone, not a dead end. Next time you’re paralyzed by this thought, remember: The only true failure is never trying at all.
4. I’m Too Young/Old
We love using age as an excuse, but the reality is that age is a state of mind. Young people often use it as a reason not to be taken seriously, while older individuals use it to convince themselves that it’s too late to try something new.
But what if age didn’t matter? What would you do if your age wasn’t in the discussion? You have something valuable to offer, regardless of when you start. You should have started yesterday, but if you didn’t, start when you’re done reading this article.
5. I’m Waiting for The Right Time
This sounds so reasonable, doesn’t it? Waiting for the perfect moment, for the stars to align, the right time when everything clicks. Unfortunately, the right opportunity often never arrives. It’s a myth we tell ourselves to avoid taking risks and dealing with the elephant in the room.
Opportunities don’t wait for us to be ready—they appear when we take action. The “right” moment often comes after we’ve made the decision to step forward. This is the sign you have been waiting for.
6. It’s Not My Problem
Yeah, let’s not be ostriches. If we get our heads out of the sand for a second, we’ll see that it really is our problem, and we’re perfectly capable of solving it. This excuse may make us feel better about avoiding responsibility, but it often leads to missed opportunities for making an impact.
Some things may not be directly in our wheelhouse, but that doesn’t mean we can’t help or at least be part of the solution. If we have the ability to make a difference—even in a small way—why not step in? We can contribute even when we’re struggling.
7. What Will People Say?
The ultimate crowd-pleaser excuse—worrying about the opinions of others. It’s a phrase that haunts us in moments of vulnerability as we consider making bold decisions, starting something new, or standing up for ourselves. Clinging to this excuse is like handing over the steering wheel of your life to a crowd of strangers who don’t know how to drive.
The fear of judgment can feel like a paralyzing spotlight glaring down on our every move. Most people aren’t nearly as focused on us as we think. They’re too busy worrying about their own lives, insecurities, and what we might say about them.
8. I Don’t Feel Inspired
Waiting for inspiration to strike is like waiting for a bus that doesn’t exist. Inspiration comes from action, not the other way around. You can’t sit around hoping for motivation to magically appear—you have to create it.
Doing something, even in the smallest way, often leads to the spark you’re waiting for. Inspiration isn’t an event, but rather, it’s a process.
9. I’m Bad at Making Decisions
Whoever told you that lied. Indecision is often an excuse for fear of making the “wrong” choice. No decision is perfect, and sometimes, making any choice is better than staying stuck.
It’s easy to overthink and get paralyzed by options, but committing to something is the only way to break through a rut. Decisions don’t need to be life or death—sometimes, making a choice is simply about waking up and showing up.
10. I Don’t Have the Right Resources
We love to blame a lack of resources—money, social connections, specific products—as the reason we’re running away from a challenge. However, resourcefulness matters more than the resources themselves. People have achieved amazing things with far less than what we think we need.
How can you use what’s already in front of you? Creativity often comes from limitations, and you might be surprised at how much you can do with a little ingenuity.
11. I’m Too Busy Helping Others
Helping others is a wonderful thing, but it can sometimes become an excuse to ignore your own needs and goals. It’s easy to put other people’s needs ahead of our own, but when you constantly put yourself last, you’re setting yourself up for burnout.
Balance is key. Helping others is important, but neglecting your own well-being isn’t doing anyone any favors, especially for yourself. Make time to help, but don’t forget to help yourself too.
12. I’ll Do It Tomorrow
Procrastination often creeps in when a task feels overwhelming or unappealing, leading us to push it off until tomorrow. The problem is that tomorrow quickly becomes today, and suddenly, we’re back at square one.
Taking action today, even in small steps, can break the cycle. The stress of putting things off often outweighs the effort of simply starting. Take one small step now, and watch how momentum makes tackling your to-do list easier.
13. No One is Interested
Maybe you have an idea to launch a great product, but you convince yourself no one will buy it. Or perhaps that no one is interested in what you have to say. It’s easy to feel invisible when it seems like no one’s paying attention.
Interest grows when we engage with others and share who we truly are. By being authentic and proactive, you might find that people take notice in unexpected ways.
14. It’s Not That Serious
It’s tempting to downplay situations when they feel uncomfortable or when we want to avoid difficult conversations. Minimizing problems may seem like the easier route, but if left unresolved, it often leads to bigger issues.
When something matters, it’s best to give it the attention it deserves. Not everything needs to be treated as a crisis, but brushing aside what’s important can prevent us from making progress. Addressing the situation head-on allows us to handle it properly and move forward.
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I’m a Language and Literary Studies (Honors) graduate with 11 years of experience in magazine and blog writing and content creation. I’m passionate about storytelling for change and believe in the power of words to make a difference. My writing is thought-provoking, accessible, and engaging, focusing on the Psychology of human behavior, complex social issues, personal experiences, and the latest trends. I’m a wife and a Mom of three.
