August is by far one of my favourite months of the year – the kids are off school and I work from home, meaning I get to spend 100% of my free time with them. Whether we’re all just kicking around the house together, or whether we’re out and about on a holiday or day trip, we still get to be together all of the time. However I have to admit that my friendships have been a little neglected this August too. We haven’t seen our friends in Gainsborough since we moved in June, one of my best friend’s came for a visit at the end of July but I haven’t seen her all month either and my other best friend I hadn’t seen for ages – until today.
Did you know that August is Happiness Happens month? And that NRS Healthcare are big advocates of helping people feel better about themselves. They try to help adults feel connected and combat loneliness and with this in mind they made a great post called How to make new friends as an adult and live happily. While I absolutely love spending time with my family, there’s nothing like spending time with some adult company too. And while I’m not really one for heading out and making new friends, it does make me more determined to try and keep in touch with my current friends.
Send a quick text
My nearest friend lives only about 30 minutes from me and we tend to see each other once a week, or once every other week. However this summer we have both been so busy that I actually haven’t seen her since the very beginning of school holidays. Today I knew I was heading to a place very close to where she lives, taking the kids to a Maize Maze. A quick text, enquiring if she was about, lead to us meeting up unexpectedly and having a good old chat while the kids played on the adventure playground.
Comment or Like on Social Media
These days its very easy to keep up with friends, with things like Twitter and Facebook – and of course blogs. You read about someone’s life and often feel like you’re keeping in touch, even when you’re not. However why not take a few minutes to leave a comment on a post and let your friend know you are following their adventures. My other best friend is in Disneyland Paris this week and unexpectedly we had a quick chat this morning, just because she commented on my Instagram story.
Host an event
For a few years now, I have been Queen of Organisation in our social group. Most years there are at least 3-4 Murder Mysteries, several board game nights and dinner out for birthdays. However as of last year, organising events definitely slowed down and lives got very busy. It’s so easy to invite a couple of friends round, or even a whole host of them. You can keep it simple with a takeaway and games like Jackbox on the TV, or you can host a full on murder mystery of escape room evening. I’ve been eyeing up an escape room game, so it might be something I have to get organising!
Family are friends too
It’s easy to forget that hanging out with family, can be just as nice as hanging out with friends. Again, with busy lives its sometimes hard to coordinate but if you make an effort it’s usually possible. This summer break we arranged to meet up with my brother and his partner for a coffee – which then turned into going out for lunch – which then turned into going out the following day to Bradford and visiting the Museum of Science and Media.
Of course there are loads of ways to keep in touch with people and everyone has their own preference. It’s just important to remember that we can all feel lonely at times and its good to have some company. Apparently loneliness can be as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day – so keep in touch with your friends!