Peterina Oforiwaa Frempong 
Relationships are a significant part of life, but not everyone is ready or willing to take that step. People can give excuses to avoid a relationship commitment, whether it’s fear, self-doubt, or simple avoidance, these top excuses often come up when someone isn’t ready to settle down. This blog post will give you 10 top excuses people give to avoid relationship commitments
1. “I’m Too Busy Right Now”
One of the classic excuses is claiming to be too busy. While everyone has a busy life be it due to career, studies, or personal commitments this often masks the reality that they’re prioritizing other things over the relationship. If they wanted it badly enough, they’d make time, wouldn’t they? Being “busy” is just one of the excuses to avoid a relationship commitment .
2. “I Need to Focus on My Career First”
Many individuals feel they need to achieve a specific milestone in their career before they can invest in a relationship. It’s true that professional growth is important, but the underlying message is that the person is using their job as a barrier to avoid emotional commitment. At Poor Excuses, we know that finding balance is possible if they truly wanted it.
3. “I’m Not Over My Last Relationship”
This excuse typically signals unresolved emotional baggage. While taking time to heal is understandable, clinging to the past indefinitely becomes a way to avoid moving forward. It becomes a comfortable reason to sidestep new emotional risks, often leaving the other person hanging.
4. “I Just Want to Have Fun Right Now”
When someone says they’re only in it for the fun, they’re likely avoiding anything that involves long-term attachment. Whether it’s enjoying freedom, playing the field, or avoiding serious talks, this excuse shows they aren’t interested in anything deep.
5. “I Don’t Believe in Marriage”
Some people pull the “anti-marriage” card to avoid the path of serious relationships altogether. While not everyone dreams of marriage, this can often be an excuse to sidestep any kind of lasting commitment whether it’s about marriage or simply showing loyalty to a partner.
6. “I Need to Work on Myself First”
Self-improvement is crucial, but how long can someone use it as an excuse? Sometimes this is just a way of saying, “I’m not ready to commit, and I don’t want to say it directly.” Poor Excuses has seen this tactic play out over and over, with no end to the “working on myself” journey in sight.
7. “I Don’t Want to Ruin Our Friendship”
This is one of the more delicate excuses. They value friendship, but the fear of changing the dynamic is often an easy way out of making a relationship work. While some truly worry about friendship, for others, it’s simply another way to stay in the safe zone.
8. “The Timing Just Isn’t Right”
Timing is everything, right? But how often have we heard that the stars just aren’t aligned yet? Whether it’s waiting for a better phase of life, better stability, or less stress, this excuse conveniently pushes off commitment to an undefined future date.
9. “I Don’t Want to Be Tied Down”
Freedom can be attractive, but using it as an excuse to avoid a committed relationship says more about one’s fear of attachment. This phrase tends to come up when someone wants to keep their options open indefinitely. This phrase is sometimes used as a justification to avoid relationship talks
10. “I’m Not Ready for Something Serious Right Now”
The ultimate catch-all excuse for someone avoiding a deeper connection. Saying they’re “not ready” buys time and reduces expectations without being too harsh. It’s vague enough to sound genuine, but often masks a deeper unwillingness to commit.
Conclusion
If you’ve heard or used any of these excuses, it’s time to reflect on what you truly want from your relationships.
Are these excuses valid, or are they just a way to avoid commitment? Next time you catch yourself (or someone else) using one of these top excuses, remember at the heart of every excuse is the fear of taking that next big step. Got more excuses you’ve heard or used? Share them with us at Poor Excuses and let’s dissect them together.
