10 Creative Ways to Spend Time with your Friends
2022 is off to a weird start, but really it’s no weirder than the past several years have been. A nebulous blur really. Collective morale is understandably low. As I've been telling some of my clients and now I'll tell you - we are really resilient, but no one is this resilient.
Which is why you and I need to bring our friends in close. You need them and they need you. Please understand, that now might not be the time for the deep dives and the friendship heart to hearts (although maybe it is for you and if so, get to it!). Right now, you need play and levity and being silly with your people.
So here's your challenge. Below is a list of 10 Creative Ways to Spend time with your Friends. Pick one, pick a date, pick up your phone and reach out to your pals and make it happen. Maybe you're like me and you sometimes get a little nervous reaching out to your friends to plan an out of the box friend hang…it can be vulnerable! But from all corners, I can tell you your friends are craving this. So no need to get rid of the nervousness. Feel the nervousness (it's just trying to protect you) and still reach out. Your friends need this and so do YOU!
01. Take a stupid mental health walk together.
Able to do it in person? Amazing! Not able to because you live across the country? Schedule it before hand and pop those ear buds in and walk together. Same same different!
02. The Great *At Home* Bake Off
Choose a mildly difficult recipe like cinnamon rolls and each person has to make it in under an hour and then you all judge who did the best job. Obviously you'll need to get creative with oven space, but I believe in you. Can also be done virtually, you'll just have to go by visuals to see whose turned out the best…or worst!
03. Game Night!!
Ask everyone to bring a snack that comes with something crunchy and something to dip said crunchy thing into. Whip out your favorite game. Mexican Trains has been our go to lately! (Soon the FRIENDSHIP DECK will get to be played, but she's still got a little more time in the oven!!)
04. Masterclass Extravaganza.
One of my brothers gave us a subscription to Masterclass for the year. Excellent gift and it serves as the backdrop of a very fun and creative evening. Invite over some of your people and learn how to make the perfect salmon or a fancy cocktail. Spending time together AND learning something new?! Win-win!
05. Tour Your Town
You know those museums you’ve been meaning to go to because you want to be the kind of person that frequents museums. Ask your friend(s) to join you. Living in Charleston, there’s a ton of history that's important to learn about and lots of walking tours. Standing invitation for my CHS friends to get nerdy with me and do this together!
06. Progressive Dinner
Host a few friends at your house for drinks and apps and then go to the next for dinner and another for dessert! Or if cooking at home is too much, you all hop in the car and each friend brings you to their favorite easy food spot for apps, dinner, and dessert. Lots of fun to be had here.
07. Brunch at your house!
If hosting a dinner feels too stressful, start with the starches. ;) Egg casserole, french toast soufflé, throw some berries in a bowl, and you’re golden! Coffee and OJ with or without champagne. Easy peezy. I feel like there’s nothing better than starting a Saturday morning hanging with your friends. I’m a fan of setting a strict dress code of soft clothes only.
08. The Surprise Show Up
Now this might not be for everyone, but I sure do miss the past times of just showing up at each other's houses with a treat! Do people our age still do this?! Let's bring it back! This is great for your friends who have kids and it's harder to get them out of the house. Show up when the kiddos are napping or after they've gone to sleep and bring a yummy something for a quick catch up sesh!
09. Powerpoint Nights
Yes, you heard me right. Maybe you've seen glimmers of these nights on TikTok, but you get to bring this to your living room or zoom room too! Gather up your gal pals near and far and I have no doubt there will be lots of good laughs to come from this. If you need some inspo, I've got you here, here, and here.
10. Movie Sesh
The beauty of this is that it can be done both IRL and virtual. For example, my friend and I have been very invested in the Anna Delvey scandal (German socialite-con artist) since it's beginning so you better believe we will be watching the Netflix mini series together. And by together, because we live on opposite coasts, I mean we will press play at the same time and text throughout!!!
If you loved these friendship resources, sign up for my newsletters below so you don’t miss out on the latest friendship resources, tips, and advice because navigating friendships as an adult is something you don’t need to do alone!
And if you’re realizing you might need some additional care and support around your friendships these days, therapy can be a great option. For folks located in Charleston, South Carolina as well as anywhere in the state of Texas, reach out here to set up a free 20 minute phone consultation to see if working together therapeutically feels like a good fit!