Hot Girl Chalet Weekend

Have you ever had a conversation with someone and something they said was a bolt of genius?  That happened to me last night, Sophia and I were talking about Misogis and “Kevin’s rules” and the subsequent conversations in my friend group … her comment “it’s a hot girl chalet weekend … I’m coming!” She also said I should blog about it to which I replied I think I might and you just gave me my title! I love moments like that.  When all the little seeds of ideas come together in a lightning bolt moment.  I know they will, but I have moments when the sheer blankness where I’d like creativity to live worries me.  

The hot girl chalet weekend is less a weekend and more a day … less chalet and more a road trip north, where, at this time of year, chalets are open and ski hills attract skiers and snowboarders, while also staying local-ish.  

Two steps back … 

I mentioned I was struggling with my mini adventures.  One of my friends thinks that’s because we do things pretty regularly.  I don’t think about them because they are a part of our everyday life.  It was an interesting discussion … I think it might be partially true, partially not.  I suspect she agrees since she pulled together a google document for our friend group so we could each take ownership of a party, an event or an adventure … with dates and details.  She’s clearly a planner within the group.  Two of our traditional parties were already listed - Christmas Eve and Super Bowl Sunday.  I reviewed my mini adventure notes and modified one of my adventures to accommodate the group … which I think will make it more of an adventure.  I chose the road trip, obviously a couple cars will be required … packed lunch, car snacks, various stops along the way where passengers can switch cars and playlists … the end goal is north, to explore the caves, walk the suspension bridge … I’m mindful of costs, so I was socializing with a friend this morning - one who would be paying the most, she has a family of four … she suggested I add the go-karting track downhill to the mix … so adding that to my research … doable.  

There are four of us on the email thread and likely two to three items to plan … keeping in mind a few are away in August and I would like to be travelling in September.  This morning’s conversation revealed that my friend is considering a charcuterie board party … you can do a traditional charcuterie, veggies, fruits, desserts, drinks … as long as it is on a board … you can potluck any way you’d like … she also wants to do a tarot reading party - which is always good fun.  

I’d like to go to the horse races.  We haven’t done that in years and there is a track close to us.  That might be a non-child friendly event … investigating the details on that one too.  

A few points of clarification … I have amazing friends.  I love that we are all taking this seriously and putting time and effort into this! Having adventures to look forward to - I miss that.  More than I realized as I’ve been thinking about the larger group and what would be fun for all of us.  

Thinking about more than just my needs made it easier, also there is an element of accountability that I like.  I’m committing to not just me, I’m committing to them.  It’s something we are all marking in our calendars, if I fail to follow through … I’m letting them down.  I’m not going to be that friend … so … I’ll plan and I’ll follow through.  Which means … I get to do things with the people that matter … much like we did when we were younger and had fewer responsibilities.  

I’m still doing a few that are just me, things where I can disconnect … from work, from relationships, from family … and feed my soul … that matters too.  

This is why we socialize our thoughts, well, not all of them, but one’s like this.  The planner took it and presented it in a way that pushed for action.  Each of us needed this, craved it, clearly.  The calendar is filling up and it’s only been 24 hours.  Things I hadn’t thought of - needed and didn’t know I needed - friends are bringing to the table.  I love that.  

Sometimes moving forward is about what we as individuals need - the choices we make, the actions we choose.  Sometimes, you aren’t the only one who is stuck or needs change … sometimes moving forward is a collective effort … you get to share the load with the people in your pack - whoever they are - and you get to move forward together.  

I don’t think we hear enough about the latter.  Lots of us - individually - are driven, can grow, take steps to evolve.  Doing the work with people who matter … that’s special.  While I don’t want the people I love to be stuck or stagnant, I do love that we push each other, support each other and are willing to show up for each other in the ways we need - even something as seemingly insignificant as mini adventures.  

The truth is, showing up is overlooked, is underrated, showing up matters … especially for the things that seem insignificant.  When your people show up for the small stuff, they tend to show up for the big stuff - the hard stuff.  

I don’t know about you … but I’m excited about planning my events … my “hot girl chalet weekends.”