Mini Getaways for Girls

After my recent girls getaway post, I discovered some helpful tips for women who need to get together, but can't travel (whether for budgetary reasons, weather, work, or other mishaps). That shouldn't prevent women from planning outings closer to home, perhaps as a way to discuss longer-term vacations together.

GirlTrip.org has 10 mini girls getaway tips when you're squeezed on time, but still need a time out. Here are my 3 favorites:

• Mental Health Day
  If everyone's working hard then take a day for hardly working.  Notify all the ladies that you're taking a collective mental health day.  Meet up at the spa, the beach or the best shopping strip in your area and enjoy a day out of the office together.

What a delicious way to spend a day! Mental health days should be more normal for a country built on hard work and two-week long vacations per year (what's up with that?).

• Friend Spread
  If your friends aren't all as close with each other as you are to them, then bring them together.  Plan a night out with all your gal pals who don't know each other well and get everyone acquainted!

I love this idea. I can't tell you how often I've gone to the movie with my "movie friend" or walking with my "walking friend" or dished on guys with my "gossip boy-crazy friend" or philosophized about the state of the world and the inter-relatedness of chaos and order with my "deep friend" and I've drunk like a fish with my "party friend." Nice to gather them every so often to find the surprising similarities.

• We'll Always Have Coffee
  When all else fails and you just can't squeeze in a date with the ladies, find a quck thirty minutes for a cup of java or a smoothie.  It just enough time to do some quick catching up while getting out of the house or away from the office for a breather.

Everything's better with coffee. I couldn't agree more.

Comments

[ANGELA]

I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO RECENTLY ENGAGED. I AM LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO GO NOT TO FAR AWAY FROM WHERE I LIVE IN SPRINGFIELD MASS TO SPEND SOME QUALITY AWAY TIME WITH MYSELF CAN U MAKE ANY SUGGESTIONS.

[Jocelyn Milici]

My recommendation for getting some quality solo peace and quiet is to search deep in your heart for the top 3 things you love to do and haven't done in a while. Then pick one or two of those and go for it. And remember, turn off your cell phone for the day, weekend or however long you're away to truly disconnect.

Massachusetts has numerous day spas for quick outings:
http://salons.skincareus.com/dayspas/mamassachusetts.htm

Or you can always head out to Cape Cod (I liked the town Dennis and think there are rental homes there) or other beach areas. Water and nature do wonders to relax the spirit.

[Gina]

I'm looking for some fun ideas for my 40th birthday in September which I want to celebrate with about 12 of my dearest local women friends. Brainstorming ideas that are budget friendly but also different and special. Any ideas you can share besides walking tours, party buses, cooking classes, wine tours, casinos, shopping, or renting a vacation home for a night? Surprised there aren't more sites out there with ideas...

Thanks!
Gina