• Social psychology tells us that spending time with others makes life more meaningful.

What they found: Across eight experiments in a study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, researchers found that people often think they are excluded from plans on purpose — and they overestimate how annoyed others would be if they joined in.

• In reality, the lack of an invite usually isn't personal: Hosts just didn't think of it.

Yes, but: There are situations where you shouldn't self-invite, like weddings and other formal events, the researchers said.

The bottom line: The research suggests the fear of annoying friends with a self-invite shouldn't overpower your FOMO (fear of missing out).