When you decide to take a few days off, it's quite different than when most of us do the same. Your friends and family aren't used to going more than a few hours without either seeing you or talking with you, so your absence raises all kinds of red flags. You're in the mood to disappear from the world now, however, and you won't want to chat with them about it. Be nice. Call when you know they won't be there to answer, and leave a message.