An invitation is a question, not a summons. You’re allowed to answer it.

Invitations can feel like orders, especially when they come from people used to you turning up. Being asked is only being asked, though, and the whole point of a question is that more than one answer exists. The pressure usually comes from inside your own head rather than from the person inviting you. Most hosts would rather know than wonder.

Treat the next invitation as something to think about for a minute before replying. Decide whether you want to go, then answer either way within a day, which is the part people actually appreciate.