>>718303471
Of course I tell them no. I don't change my choice. It just makes me feel bad. It makes me sad they see it as me 'not choosing them' and not just 'me choosing relaxing'. Because they're extroverted and their brain calms down in a discord chat and online game with friends, but for me, it feels laborious and intensive.
And said same friends will then reference it later in real life hangouts and be like "I know you can play X with me, I see you online". so again this creates a further feedback loop of being like 'okay let me not make them feel I'm not choosing them, and limit their visibility into my supposed 'available time'.
The difference is I don't disparage them for their choices. I don't care what they play. I'm happy if they're happy. Do I get they just wanna play with me? Of course. When I do have energy and time, I do try if I can. Its just that, very often, especially as I've gotten older, those times and fewer and further between.