Here’s how my girlfriends and I keep it together: we never leave one trip, brunch, or birthday without another thing in the calendar. Always. Even if it’s months away. Even if it’s small. Especially because the world feels like it’s spinning faster every day. We hold on to joy with both hands—one reaching back to the memories we’ve made, the other stretched forward to whatever’s next. That next dinner, that next retreat, that next chance to exhale and just be. It's how we stay sane. It's how we stay connected. We always have something to look forward to.....and that’s everything.
Why Always Having Something to Look Forward To Works
We weren’t always this intentional. But after a few chaotic years, we realized we needed anchors. Not just big annual getaways or milestone birthdays, but little moments to anticipate—a weekend hike, a seasonal picnic, a randomly themed event, even a wine-fuelled planning night for a future trip. Turns out, anticipation is a form of therapy. It lifts you out of the day-to-day grind and gives your brain something hopeful to chew on.
Our Rule: Never Leave Without a Plan
It started as a joke: "Okay, when’s the next thing?" But now it’s gospel. We don’t end a gathering without putting the next one on the calendar. Not a vague "sometime in the fall" plan, but an actual date, time, location—locked in. It’s like leaving yourself a trail of breadcrumbs, reminders that the good stuff isn't behind you, it’s ahead, too.
The Psychology of Anticipation
There’s science behind this, by the way. Studies show that looking forward to something activates the reward centre in your brain—releasing dopamine, improving mood, and reducing stress. Some researchers say the anticipation can be just as powerful as the event itself. (So yeah, planning that fall retreat? Already good for you.)
How Girl Trips Help Us Hold On
Girl Trips was born from this very practice. The need to plan joy into our lives. To have a circle of women who don’t just show up when it’s convenient, but who plan for connection. Whether it’s a full-blown retreat, a girls’ weekend in the woods, or a cozy winter dinner party—what matters most is that it’s in the calendar. It gives us something to look forward to together.
Ideas to Add to Your Calendar Today
- A weekend road trip to somewhere none of you have been
- A themed dinner party (bonus points for dress codes or potlucks)
- Booking a seasonal Girl Trip retreat (hint, hint)
- Monthly wine + vision board night
- A Sunday morning walking club
- Join a Pickleball league, all the cool kids are doing it
Doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be there.
It's Not Just a Trip, It’s a Lifeline
In this world of burnout and bad news, joy has to be intentional. My girlfriends and I plan for it. We put it in our calendars like it’s a dentist appointment—non-negotiable. And you know what? It works. We hold hands across time, past and future, joy to joy. If you're reading this and thinking, "I need that," then maybe your first step is the same as ours: book something now. Give yourself something to look forward to.
