Time: 30 Minutes - 1 Hour
STEP 1: Think about who you’d like to spend time with over an afternoon or weekend. Maybe it’s a friendly neighbor you keep seeing on your daily walks, or a parent/sibling you’ve been meaning to call. You might consider inviting your close friend to bring their spouse/significant other and organizing a double date to finally try out that new restaurant in town.
STEP 2: Reach out to this person and schedule a fun lunch or an afternoon enjoying each other. Don’t feel pressured to spend money if you don’t want to—quality time together is as simple as cooking a meal together or going on a hike/visiting a local park. Karaoke anyone?!
STEP 3: Consider bringing something that will either make you laugh or create great memories (pictures, old yearbooks, a list of inside jokes, games, tickets to an event, etc.). This should be a stress-free time and an activity is a great way to decompress and connect with that person in a novel way.
STEP 4: Enjoy your time with friends and family and maintain a positive outlook even if things don’t go exactly according to plan. Being able to adapt to changing circumstances is an important and realistic way to maintain a happy and positive outlook amidst a chaotic life.
STEP 5: Follow up with a thank you note or a framed picture from the time spent together as a mental reminder (for you, them, or both) of a great time spent with those you love.
