Girls' nights are rare in this busy season of life. When I am able to steal away for uninterrupted time with my besties, it’s like a mini-vacation. Whether we’re dancing to our favorite songs from college or swapping life updates over coffee, time together clears my head and fills my soul.
I’m lucky to have pockets of girlfriends from many chapters of my life. Having lived in six cities over the past twenty years, I’ve built a network of women that have each significantly shaped my identity and are, thankfully, still treasured sources of wisdom and support. Though I’ve occasionally taken these relationships for granted, I’ve come to value them more as our time together has grown scarce.
Recent studies extol the lifelong benefits of strong friendships. Among other boosts to your mental and physical health, friendships can improve your self-confidence, reduce stress levels, and increase your happiness. Realizing that friendship is part of my overall wellbeing has helped me frame quality time as a priority of equal importance to fitness or eating healthy - only more fun.
I’m still learning how to be a good friend in adulthood. With everyone’s packed schedules, it’s nearly impossible to have the sort of spontaneous interactions that feed friendship. Intentionality is crucial to building connections when time is at a premium. Set a weekly or monthly goal to spend quality time with friends. Put texting your gal pal on your to-do list. It’s not glamorous, but it works and establishes new habits.
Sharing new experiences is an excellent way to strengthen bonds and build connections. Get creative and seek activities beyond the standard lunch date and happy hour. Here are six ideas to get you started.
Parade Down Palafox
Make your night count by hitting up not one, but four, hotspots in downtown Pensacola. Give each friend a course to plan - cocktails, appetizers, entrees, and desserts - and visit a new establishment for each part of your meal. A culinary tour you won’t soon forget!
Host a Favorite Things Party
Friends are the original influencers. Invite a group of women over with the instruction to bring a favorite recent purchase, under a certain price point. Swap, white elephant-style, and share your best discoveries. Save this exchange for a time when you’re not already inundated with gift-giving events to maximize the fun.
Howl at the Moon
Make new memories by moonlight with a nighttime kayak excursion. Glo Paddle offers light-up kayak rentals in Pensacola Beach, Navarre, and Watercolor. Pair your paddle with a meal at a fresh new restaurant, like The Wharf Fish & Oyster Company on Pensacola Beach, or a favorite old haunt.
Take a Surprise Getaway
No time to plan a girls’ weekend? Let a surprise travel company like Pack Up & Go plan your next escape. After learning about you and your friends, a travel advisor will create a custom itinerary for a surprise destination that includes flights, lodging, and curated
activities - all revealed at the airport!
Perfect Your Penmanship
Attend a Sip n’ Script event at Rusted Arrow Mercantile and learn the art of modern calligraphy alongside your besties. The class includes a take-home kit so you can continue to practice your cool girl handwriting and send your friends snapshots of your
best work.
Restore and Relax
Instead of a traditional spa day, pursue a less-traveled path to wellness. Try a Facial Release Session or Energy Work at Lovelock Healing Arts. Book a personalized sound therapy session on the beach with a local healer. Exploring new classes with friends is usually more comfortable and rejuvenating than going it alone.
Anna is a writer and curator with a passion for art and storytelling. She has worked for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York and other cultural organizations in New Orleans, Vancouver, and Pensacola. Her favorite things include adventures with her family, British competition shows, and reading way past her bedtime.