Living Well with Bri

Activities to do with friends that don't involve alcohol & meditation

Bri Balafoutas
August 02, 2023

Happy Wednesday! I hope you have a beautiful day :)

Quote of the day:

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with

This quote highlights how our friends and social circle's influence on shaping our lives. When we associate with individuals with positive mindsets, ambitious goals, and healthy habits, we are more likely to adopt those qualities. So, being around people who challenge and inspire us fosters personal growth and self-improvement. This has been very true in my life. For the past two years, I have lived with four amazing and successful girls who motivate me to be the best version of myself. “If you dwell with a lame man, you will learn how to limp” - Plutarch. Choose who you want to be and seek those qualities in your friends. If you surround yourself with millionaires, you will become a millionaire

The people we spend time with can also affect us in the short term. The energy of others easily alters our moods and emotions. So positive and supportive individuals can uplift and motivate us, while negative influences can drain our energy and hinder our progress.

This doesn’t mean you should start distancing yourself from all of your friends, but I would take inventory of how they make you feel or affect your mood after spending time with them. If you leave feeling drained or negative, become aware and act accordingly. I know it may be difficult at first, but in order to reach it, you must make sure the people you spend time with are pushing you towards the finish line, not preventing you from achieving them.

Fun things to do with friends that don’t involve drinking-

Going out can be fun, but drinking isn’t always the best for your health and wellness goals. Balancing a social life without relying on drinking can be challenging, but I’ve listed a few things you and your friends can do that don’t involve drinking.

Game Nights!
Outdoor Adventures→ Hiking, picnics, or swimming are some of my favorite activities, especially when the weather is nice!
Cooking or Baking→ I’m not the best baker, but I love baking with my friends (especially my roommates, who are crazy talented bakers). Cooking, on the other hand, is so much fun because you can make it themed! Do a board night where everyone makes a different charcuterie board. Or pick a cookbook book, and each of your friends can cook different recipes. The ideas are endless!
Karaoke Night→ Host a karaoke night at home or find a local venue where you can all sing your hearts out.
PowerPoint Night→ You and a group of friends make different themed PowerPoints and present them to each other!
Live Events→ Concerts and farmers markets are my favorite things to do with friends!
Spa Day→ Treat yourselves to a relaxing spa day at home or book appointments at a nearby spa!
Plan a Day Trip→ Explore nearby towns, landmarks, or tourist attractions. I know our hometowns aren’t always the most exciting, but there are things to do nearby that you never knew about!

The list could go on forever! If you implement these, you’ll find that you can make more meaningful memories with your friends.

goal for the day

Meditate. If you have never meditated before, start today for 1 minute. Make sure you’re in a quiet space, close your eyes, and observe your thoughts. Over time increase the amount of time you spend meditating. You could also use a guided meditation on YouTube (I recommend any Joe Dispenza meditation). After implementing this into your daily routine, you will start to notice limiting thought patterns that don’t belong in your life anymore, and the rest of your day will become more manageable because your mind has a period of time to remain quiet and still.

Next time…

My grocery shopping tips
Why you should give more hugs

Bri