I have some great friends. We always have fun when we’re together.
This year we’ve committed to one day a month to get together without the easy excuses of last minute life stuff, or without falling back on our usual go to hang out thing.
Pam & Me on my 30th Birthday
Friendships are like romantic relationships in that they require time and attention too. Sometimes they also need some spicing up, just like a love life.
In the book Spirit Junkie author Gabrielle Bernstein talks about the idea that we should treat our friendships like romances, and our romantic relationships more like friendships.
Friendships can be an important part of our emotional well-being. Our friendships can provide support, a springboard for ideas, and so much more. Not to mention it sometimes comes with the perk of being able to borrow cute clothes! Score!
But, like romantic relationships, friendships can be taken for granted. They can get stale and boring which may be why some friendships end. Not because the people have changed but they just drift apart for lack of tending their friendship garden to make sure it continues to grow.
By throwing in different fun activities, you can not only have a great time, but create bonding and fun memories with your besties that keep your relationship fresh. Some great activities to do with your girlfriends (or male friends) are:
A Proper Tea Party
Get all dressed up with hats, gloves and the works and go to a tea house for a proper ladies’ tea. If you prefer the comfort of your own home, still ask your tribe to come dressed up. You can ask everyone to bring their favorite tea, or to bring a tea like snack. You could research characters or make up your own and just have a good time.
Pole Dancing Classes
Whether or not you’ve ever shaken your shimmy on a pole, this is a great way to get a workout in and have a fun time with your girlfriends. If you’ve never done it before, the idea may conjure up images of something sleazy but it’s not. You and your girls can hit the pole and work on feeling good in your skin. It’s also great for bonding.
Solve the Crime!
When I was a kid one of my besties, Amilca, always had Mystery Parties for her birthdays. And they were awesome. Basically, with the invitation to the party you get a character and everyone comes to the party as their character. There are little scripts and prompts and the party goers try to solve the crime! These parties are available for adults too!
What I remember most about the parties is that they were always such fun and we were always silly, and the time just seemed to fly by.
Vision Board Making
Ask your tribe to bring old magazines and their favorite dish to share and get together to make vision boards. This is a great way to connect and also to do something to help you manifest things that you want in your life. If you want, you can start with a led group meditation, yoga, or just dancing around. My vision board making extravaganza includes mimosas, but yours doesn’t have to.
Walk It Out
Meet up somewhere in your area and just go for a walk. Pick an area that you don’t usually go and just walk and talk. If you pick a park consider removing your shoes and walking in bare feet so that you can practice grounding and get the healthy benefits that come from touching your naked skin to the Earth. I don’t know why but, for me at least, walking with friends always inspires deep conversations.
Volunteer
Grab you group and pick something you guys are passionate about and go and be love. Maybe help at your local library, your kids’ school, or a soup kitchen. The best time to do this is not during the holiday season when large groups tend to get together to help those who may be having a rough time. Pick a time that just works for your group. If you wanted to take it a step further, encourage your friends to raise funds for the organization or entity that you’re making (it doesn’t have to be a lot) and giving your donation as a group after you finish your day.
Swap It, Baby!
No, I’m not talking about swapping romantic partners (but if that’s your thing that’s cool — I don’t judge). I’m talking about a closet swap! Ask your group to go through their closets to find anything in good condition that they don’t wear or use including shoes, jewelry or accessories. Everyone meets and then you swap the stuff you don’t want for stuff that is “new” to you. This is not only a great way to expand your wardrobe and push your personal style envelope, but it’s also really good for the environment because it’s recycling versus buying another cheap top at Forever 21. If you’re anything like me, even after my latest closet purge pre New Year’s, I still have some stuff I would happily swap for something else.
An Amusement Park
Amusement parks aren’t just for kids. Amusement parks are all about fun, over-priced under-nutrient food, and games. It’s a great way to bring out your inner kid and to play. Rollercoasters scare the shit out of me to this very day, but I love amusement parks and there is so much to do. It’s always fun when I go with a big group.
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. – Marcel Proust
Yroko Marie 