“I feel like myself again,” my friend of nearly three decades said one evening as we enjoyed wine and Caesar salad at our go-to restaurant. As we walked to our cars, keys in hand and cheeks aching from laughter, we both realized how much we cherish these moments.
We have a habit of gifting each other flowers and sharing jokes, and we often say we should do this more often. Yet, we don’t, and it’s time for that to change. In fact, it’s necessary.
I’m not suggesting we need to meet weekly for heart-to-heart chats over nachos and margaritas (though that would be delightful). But if our time together leaves us feeling so invigorated, why not make it a higher priority?
I’m exhausted from being too busy to arrange regular girls’ nights. There are days when my only conversations are with my family or just myself. As much as I adore them and value my moments of solitude, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m losing my sanity after discussing dinner table etiquette or helping my kids with their latest slime experiments.
Occasional girls’ nights can be incredibly beneficial for our mental well-being. We deserve it.
I know it can feel like a chore to put on real pants and swipe on some lip gloss after a long day. We’re all busy and often prefer to relax at home with Netflix (in our pajamas) or cuddle with our kids because parenting can be exhausting. However, nurturing friendships is crucial for our health. Studies have shown that strong friendships can extend our lives and reduce stress. Who wouldn’t want to enhance their longevity by spending a relaxing evening with friends? It’s the perfect excuse to set aside the “I’m too busy” excuse for a night.
We all need to connect, especially with fellow moms navigating similar challenges or those who have already experienced them. It’s easy to keep everything bottled up and avoid sharing our struggles, especially with kids around. I’ve certainly been guilty of this countless times. But when I invest time in my friendships, I always feel supported and understood, reminding me that I’m not alone.
Having girl time as a mother is more important now than ever. While we may not enjoy nights out like we did before becoming parents, those rare outings feel more meaningful. We gather for different reasons now, and as we navigate various life stages, our appreciation for each other deepens.
The temptation to stay home with our kids is strong, and unfortunately, friendships often take a backseat when we start families. This is understandable, and true friends will be patient but also encourage you not to neglect self-care.
Spending an evening out can remind us that although motherhood is our favorite job, it’s not our only identity. We have these valuable women in our lives for a reason. Just like any relationship, I need to dedicate more time and energy to my friends because someday, we might find ourselves reminiscing on a nursing home porch. I don’t want to say, “Sarah, we should have treated ourselves to more fun times when we were younger. I’d trade anything for some nachos and a margarita right now.” Instead, I want to reflect, “Sarah, I’m so grateful we took the time to celebrate our friendship despite the chaos because we truly had an amazing time and you supported me through tough moments. Now, let’s grab those nachos!”
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In summary, prioritizing girls’ nights is essential for our mental health and well-being. By fostering these friendships, we can enrich our lives as mothers and individuals.