How much did you LOVE creating playtime in your life?? If you missed last weeks post about it – read it here and get moving on creating fun and excitement in your life!
If you did add more playtime, did you notice how it changed you energetically? How you were more filled up and ready to add more love and light into your life? Wasn’t that amazing?!!
In my experience as a coach, and talking with women everywhere, I’ve discovered that the majority of us want a deeply loving and connected relationship. in order to have that, you have to have an open heart. And being in a playtime spirit, you are in your heart right away!!! I promise you that if you keep adding playtime to your daily life, you will open your heart to receiving in so many incredible ways!
When’s the last time you laughed with your girlfriends until you peed just a little? Or your ribs hurt so much and you couldn’t catch your breath? When was the last time you sat and caught up with the girls in your life that ignite your soul’s passion?
On the other hand, when’s the last time you had a meltdown and just wanted a friendly ear for support? We love our men but they are wired to “fix” things, it’s in their DNA. When we tell them our problems, bless their hearts, they want to fix them for us, when sometimes we just want to vent, because venting out our issues allows the dust to clear so we can see what to do next.
The worst is when you’ve had a BAD DAY, and you just need to unload, decompress, yell and in frustration at the ceiling until the tension is gone and spent. With your girlfriends you have license to ‘lose it’ sometimes; have the meltdown and feel safe when you do. Do this in front of your man, and you might just get the blank stare – They don’t know what to do!!!
Your girlfriends get it. They know you just gotta let it out, shake it out, scream it out even, and when you’re done, and you’ve all eaten two of the best cupcakes in the known world with the most expensive bottle of wine you could find, they know its time to hatch your plans to put your life back in order. Girlfriends bring balance to your life.
My secret weapon to achieving balance in my life? Girlfriend Getaways!!
I love girlfriend getaways. A few days out of town, having fun with friends is incredibly rejuvenating. Even if it’s only for a day or two, that can be just enough to change your perspective, bring you joy and peace and build the bonds of your friendships.
Getting out of town gives you a fresh perspective, energizes you, and opens you up for creative thoughts. Just being with your girlfriends, causes the brain to release Oxytocin, which is the “feel good” hormone. It’s released when women talk together, when we shop, when we have that bond together that is almost indescribable!!
Science backs this up! There have been studies showing that when you spend time with your girlfriends, your body releases the ‘Love’ or feel good hormone Oxytocin that is produced in the brain. (Check out this neat study on mice spending time with their littermates)
It’s the same hormone released after you give birth and gives you that euphoric feeling and the same one that’s produced when you first feel like you are falling in love! Oxytocin’s roll is to help us bond to others, and when we spend time with our girlfriends, its produced in abundance.
Here’s why we don’t do this enough: We feel guilty about getting away – leaving the kids behind for a few days, or spending time away from our mates, our jobs…
But you shouldn’t feel guilty! When you take time for you and your besties, you are filled up, you are more able to be loving and present and openhearted in your day to day lives!!!
Hear me honey child: do not feel guilty for taking time for yourself!!
Here’s some ideas for time with the girls!
· Gather your soul sisters and head to the spa. Pamper yourselves with massages and mani/pedi’s, drink champagne and spoil yourselves silly!
· Weekend vino tasting adventure!
· Have a Girlfriend Staycation! Invite your girlfriends over, make sure there’s lots to munch on and have some choice beverages on hand, you could watch movies with the latest heartthrob or put on a chick flick!
Go call your girlfriends up for a get together or get away, you’ve been putting this off way too long!
Hi Sherry,
Thanks–although for now, my “playtime” will be limited to free activities,no spas or shopping sprees–I’m barely scraping by, keeping utilities on, food on table, etc. My only single girlfriend is working a lot & going to school, & has a steady boyfriend, & don’t get to see her too often. My former “girlfriends” (despite their professional careers) have been flakes, or I’ve released them because they’ve been rude, not there for me during crises, etc. So I’m making my own way, baby steps at a time..but thank you, I’ve recently started to get a little social life going, occasionally, & it feels good! Thanks for helping me get back in touch with myself!
Sharon Levine
Canoga Park, CA
Sharon,
It’s amazing how even the smallest playful act can make a huge difference in our experience of life (and it doesn’t always have to cost money)! One thing I love doing from time to time when I need a reminder of what it means to be playful is visit a dog beach. It is so much fun to watch the pups jump and run together! I can’t help but break out in a smile.
You’re on the right track. Keep moving toward playfulness and you will see an improvement in your life!
xo
Sherri