What to Respond When Someone Says They've Been Busy (Sorry I've Been Busy Reply)

Time: the most valuable asset humans possess, perhaps because of how limiting its nature is. After all, we can earn money endlessly, but of time, we all have limited stock. This is also why those who are wise spend their time most cautiously. And how is that done? By being too busy for anything that doesn’t add any value to your life.

If we’re being honest, being busy for the majority of your time, especially in your youth, is the best way to live as long as you’re able to maintain a work-life balance. However, there’s a difference between truly being busy and just saying that you are to others.

All of us might have one or two instances where we might’ve used being busy as an excuse to get out of things that we’re not interested in doing. So, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if someone did the same to us? Well, things don’t look the same when the tables are turned, which means not all of us would have the same answer to this question.

But which answer would be appropriate? That’s what we’re here to talk about. Stick with us till the end to learn about different responses to Sorry, I’ve been busy that you could use when caught in a difficult situation.

How to Respond When Someone Says They’ve Been Busy (Sorry I’ve Been Busy Reply)

Regardless of whether Sorry, I’ve been busy is the next person’s genuine problem or an excuse, you’ll have to say something in return, right? Well, here are some appropriate responses that you can send them:

“It’s completely alright. I hope everything is fine with you.”

Reserve this response for people whose honesty you can swear on or the people who have always been there for you. Because when someone who generally enjoys spending time with you and is eager to be of help is busy, chances are they’d be feeling sorry about turning you down themselves.

So, instead of making them feel worse, you should try to make them feel better by telling them how it’s no big deal. Additionally, you should also ask them if they’re doing fine because it shows you’re not only concerned about your work but also about them. This kind of response will ensure people don’t say no to you intentionally because they’ll be aware of your genuine concern for them.

“Not a problem. It wasn’t urgent anyways.”

Suppose someone told you Sorry, I’ve been busy, and you can’t be certain whether or not their response is an excuse. You’re also not close enough with them to go poking around in their business. What would you say to them? Well, the response mentioned above is a classic way of dodging situations like these. It will convey to them that whatever it is that you need them for, you could easily do it yourself as well.

There’s another secret benefit of this response, too. By telling them it wasn’t urgent, you’d also be giving them another chance to salvage the situation and make an alternate plan instead. If they do, feel free to assume that they’re genuine; and if they’re not, you already know what you need to do: find a different person, or get it done yourself.

“I understand that, but could you please try to make time in the future?”

If the favor you wanted from this person is important and can’t be done by anybody else, taking no for an answer won’t work, will it? It’s even trickier because even if you know they’re not genuine, you still can’t call them out on it because why would they want to help you afterward?

The safest way out of this conundrum is to tell them politely how you understand their situation and would request them to make time for it moving on. At least that’s what can truly increase the chances of getting the task done.

“I get that, but if you want this to happen, you have to plan accordingly.”

If the Sorry, I’ve been busy you’ve received was in response to a mutual plan and not a personal favor, it can piss you off. And truth be told, there’s no harm in letting them know that as long as you can keep your cool.

Instead of accepting their apology in a laid-back manner, you can shift some responsibility to their shoulders as well. Because if it’s a plan that involves you both (and possibly other people as well), you needn’t bear all the weight of it alone.

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