“I feel rejuvenated,” my long-time friend Sarah exclaimed one evening after we enjoyed glasses of wine and shared a delicious Caesar salad at our go-to restaurant. As we walked back to our cars, our laughter echoed in the air, and the joy of the evening lingered in our smiles.
We have a wonderful tradition of bringing flowers for one another, sharing hearty laughs, and promising to do this more often. Yet somehow, those promises slip away, and I want to change that. In fact, I need to change that.
I’m not suggesting we need to meet every week to vent over nachos and margaritas (though that would be fabulous). I simply believe that if these nights leave us feeling so invigorated, it’s high time we made them a priority.
I’m tired of always feeling too exhausted to set aside time for girls’ nights. There are days when my only conversations are with my family or myself. While I adore them and enjoy my own thoughts, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m losing my sharpness after spending days discussing dinner etiquette or how to make slime with my kids.
A night out with the girls can work wonders for our mental well-being, and we truly deserve it. Yes, it can be a hassle to apply some lip gloss and put on real clothes after a long day. We are all busy, and many of us would rather curl up on the couch for a Netflix binge (in our pajamas) or cuddle with our kids, as parenting can be overwhelmingly exhausting. But nurturing friendships is essential for our health.
Studies show that friendships can enhance longevity and reduce stress. Who wouldn’t want to extend their life while enjoying a relaxing evening with friends? This is a perfect reason to toss aside the “I’m too busy” excuse for just one night. Surely, we can carve out time for ourselves and each other at least once a month. It’s doable.
Connecting with fellow mothers who understand our struggles is crucial. It’s easy to keep our feelings bottled up, fearing interruptions from kids or feeling we don’t have the opportunity to share. I know I’ve been guilty of this numerous times. However, when I take the time to invest in my friendships, I always leave feeling validated and understood. My closest friends remind me that I am not alone.
Having girl time is more important than ever for me as a mom. While our nights out may be less frequent than before we had children, they feel all the more special. We gather now for new reasons, appreciating our friendships at a deeper level as we navigate different life stages.
The urge to stay in with our kids is powerful, and often friendships take a backseat once we become parents. While this is understandable, the best friends are those who patiently wait for you but also gently encourage you to invest in yourself.
Enjoying a night out can remind us that while being a mother is our most cherished role, it isn’t our sole identity. We have these incredible women in our lives for a reason. Like any relationship, I must dedicate more time and energy to my friendships, as one day it may just be us reminiscing on the porch of a nursing home. I certainly don’t want to look at Sarah and say, “You know, we should have enjoyed more nights out when we were younger. What I wouldn’t give for some nachos and a margarita right now.”
Instead, I’d prefer to say, “Sarah, I’m so glad we made the effort to nurture our friendship throughout life’s chaos. We had some amazing times together, and you helped me through tough moments. Now, let’s go grab those nachos!”
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In summary, prioritizing girls’ nights is crucial for maintaining our mental health and sense of self. By committing to regular gatherings, we can foster deeper connections and support each other through the ups and downs of motherhood.