7 Reasons to Get Away with Friends
I recently returned from a week away. I led a wellness retreat in Santa Fe, and followed it with a hot summertime getaway with my bestie and our littles to Scottsdale. Guess what? My business didn’t implode, my daughter and husband look pretty much the same as when I left, and the house is still standing. Dirty, of course, but standing. #WINNING
It’s easy as sleeping in to come up with 6,369 reasons to not plan a getaway with your girlfriends. Life, work, responsibilities are always creep around in your brain and march like toy soldiers all over your multiple to-do lists. It’s amazing how we juggle it all.
Let me drop this truth bomb right here: people can manage without you.
That’s right! Your office won’t fall apart. Your children won’t go without food. Baths, maybe. But they will eat. Everything can wait a hot minute while you go and refuel your tank! And it’s important to give yourself that time away. SO, SO important.
7 Reasons why you need to get away for a bit:
1. It’s good for your health. The benefits of changing up your routine, dipping your toe in the self-care bucket, and connecting with your people are numerous. Your health will be impacted by reduced stress, the physical rest your body craves, and psychological joy that comes with a deep connection with those you love.
2. Girl time strengthens your bond. Speaking of connection, research shows that people with deep friendships live longer. Staying connected with your people has benefits for everyone involved. When the unexpected trauma of illness, death, or any of life’s hardships comes knocking at your heart, having these deep bonds and people to lean on make the biggest difference in coping with inevitable tragedies.
3. Absence makes you appreciate and miss your family. And vise-versa for SHO! When mom’s away, I know down deep in my heart the kids will tire of dad’s corn dogs and ice cream sandwiches. And moms miss them too- their snuggles, jokes, and even their need for “the way mom does it.” It feels good to be needed and loved and missed.
4. You are modeling self-care. You are doing a service for your family by showing them you value yourself enough to care for yourself by getting away from all the daily duties. Your children and spouse need to see how you take care of you by stepping away from the daily grind and recharging your battery. One day your daughter will remember how you went away with friends, and hopefully she will do the same.
5. Life is hard and you need a break. Life demands a lot of us physically, mentally, emotionally, and if you have teenagers, spiritually! The only way to not only survive but thrive, is to step back. Let your brain relax by letting go of all the lists of handing everyone’s needs. Let go of the cleaning, the cooking, the comforting, to allow your one precious body and mind to be pampered and cared for.
6. Precious girl talk. This is the one that has the potential to fill our tanks faster than any other. You know the words, “me too?” There is comfort in knowing you are not alone in your struggles. You are seen. You are understood. You are loved. Oh, and deep belly laughter puts the gas nozzle on high-speed until your heart simply wants to explode!
7. To (re)fill your tank. We can run on empty for a pretty long time. Women are amazing like that. The impact of running without refueling is harsh and lasting. Stress takes a huge toll on the body, and it can do irreparable damage. Do not let yourself get to E. Get refilled. Get away.
You are worth it. You deserve it. You don’t have to explain. Just go. Make it happen. Get filled up and feel richer in every way!
p.s. Our next wellness weekend is in the WORKS! Stay tuned. I will have dates and details to you in just a couple weeks so you can refill your tank soon!
