Plans are being made, but not kept. More and more, people are skipping out last-minute–often without any explanation at all. Our last DLE poll asked: What do you think is the key reason behind the rise in flaking?

The responses were telling. While “work fatigue” topped the list of pre-set options at 30%, a larger portion–37%–came from respondents who chose to write in their own thoughts. Here’s a snapshot of what they had to say:

• The crazy world we live in drains people. Just hearing about the current administration’s atrocities is enough for me to cancel.
• Inability to keep to commitments, lack of personal honor in keeping commitments
• Overall burnout; lack of understanding of the commitment made
• Similar to work fatigue–being overscheduled, overstimulated, and feeling like you have to say yes to everything can generate performative relationships and resentment–and thus, the flake!
• Residual effect of COVID hibernating, anti-social behavior
• Change of priorities
• Overscheduling
• Lack of training/professional development
• People are just busy
• All of the above

While there isn’t a single cause behind this growing trend, burnout, hectic schedules, and shifting priorities appear to be major factors in why so many are struggling to keep their commitments.