Oh 2017, you epic dumpster fire, I'm so glad you're almost in the rearview. And, my friendlies, the good news is that — if you believe in astrology — 2018 is predicted to be a better year for everyone. Ready to move on? The things you and your bestie should do in 2018 to make up for the hellfire of 2017 run the gamut from a weekend getaway to an old-fashioned sleepover. And, you both deserve it. You and your bestie are entitled to some rest and relaxation, and 2018 is the year to go for everything you've been putting on the back burner.
If this past year has taught me anything, it's that life can change pretty quickly, and it's more important than ever to spend time with those closest to me doing things I love. In her book Bossypants, actor and author Tina Fey says, "Start with a 'yes', and see where it takes you." This is great advice, and her wisdom on improv is also a pretty on-point metaphor for leading a magical life. "In improv there are no mistakes, only beautiful happy accidents. And many of the world’s greatest discoveries have been by accident."
The message? Whatever you and your bestie want to explore in 2018 — do it. You never know where the road will take you. If you need some inspiration, here are some things you and your bestie should do in 2018.
1. Travel Together
If you and your bestie have always talked about going on a trip together, but haven't made it happen, the time to do it is now. Travel is one of the nine most popular New Year's resolutions of 2018, and it's one you should definitely keep. Even if your broke AF and don't have the funds to go on that dream trip to Europe, you can still plan a small getaway. There are plenty of amazing places to see right here in the U.S.
Gas up the car and head out on that road trip to visit those friends you haven't seen since college. If you're in a sub-zero climate this winter, and can afford a plane ticket, there are places in the U.S. Virgin Islands where you can camp for next to nothing. And, it's the perfect way to live out all of your LOST and Blue Lagoon fantasies.
2. Have An Old-Fashioned Slumber Party
Remember in the '90s when Winona Ryder and Gwyneth Paltrow were the BFFs everyone wanted to be? The now frenemies openly talked about their slumber parties where they dressed up and acted out Spice Girls' videos. While these two are no longer the besties they once were, they definitely had the right idea with that whole slumber party thing.
Adulting can be serious business, and everyone deserves a night with their bestie to munch on gas-station snacks, dress up like Lady Gaga and J.Lo (or whoever your go-to is), and act out their music-icon fantasies. And, you have a big advantage over Winona and Gwyneth. Social media. Post snaps of your BFF slumber party to inspire friendship goals in all of your virtual friends.
3. Appreciate Each Other More
When life feels like it's traveling faster than you can pack your bags, it's easy to take people for granted. In 2018, make a pact with your bestie to do little things to appreciate each other. Whether it's making monthly DIY gifts for each other, having a monthly BFF date night, or telling your bestie every day what you love them, appreciating your friendship can only lead to more love and adventures as the ultimate dynamic duo.
4. Take A Self-Defense Class Together
While I have no opinion of Jennifer Lopez as a musician, I am currently obsessed with her as an actor after marathoning two seasons (twice) of her bad-cop-with-a-heart-of-gold drama Shades of Blue. The show also stars Drea de Matteo from The Sopranos and Sons of Anarchy. Together these two women, who play detectives Harlee Santos and Tess Nazario, are the most bad-ass ladies on the streets of Brooklyn. And, the show has inspired me to want to take a self-defense class.
If you and your bestie are looking for something new to do together, taking a self-defense class is a great way to get fit, and learn to defend yourself if you need to. Health Fitness Revolution reported that knowing how to defend yourself builds self confidence, enhances your street smarts, improves your balance, increases your self discipline, improves social skills, and more. It's pretty much a win any way you look at it.
5. Go To A Concert Together
I'm always amazed at how many people claim to love live music but never go to a concert. Life moves pretty quickly, and while you might intend to get tickets to the Lady Gaga concert, sometimes you just don't. Well, 2018 is the year to go see your favorite musicians with your bestie. Seriously, I have a few concert-specific BFFs, and we always have an amazing time going to see live music.
If you can't afford to fork over big bucks for a large show, your city or town likely has some small clubs that host original music. Grab your bestie and commit to checking out some of the musicians that might be the next big thing. After all, there was a time when Lady Gaga was just another struggling musician playing small clubs in New York. You never know who you might stumble upon.
6. Go On A Double Date
Remember in season one of Gilmore Girls when Sookie and Lorelai go on a double date? While it's a bust for Lorelai, Sookie and Jackson end up falling in love, which likely wouldn't have happened without that double date. Personally, I hate dating, so the idea of a first date that's also double date is pretty appealing. If you're both single, there is even an app called DoubleDouble for double dating, which can make that first date a lot less awkward. If your dates turn out to be duds, you'll still have each other, not to mention a story you'll both remember for the rest of your lives.
7. Bury A Time Capsule
If you've never done this, it's a must for any BFFs. When were were moving out of our house a few years ago, one of my friends and I discovered a secret closet hidden in a wall in our house. We decided to put a time capsule inside, which is basically things that are important to you now that you can either bury or seal away somewhere, and agree to open sometime in the distant future.
In our time capsule we included our business cards (since we will unlikely be the ones to find it), dogs tags from my passed-away pup, some photos, a Whole Foods receipt so whoever finds it will know much things costs when we sealed it away, and other things specific to us and our friendship. Then we sealed up the hole in the wall and decided to leave it up to fate.
8. Get Matching Tattoos
If you're both into getting inked, getting matching tattoos is a great way to solidify your friendship forever. I warn against getting names tattooed on my body because I think we can all learn something from Johnny Depp's Winona Forever tattoo that he amended to Wino Forever when they broke up. Instead, get something that's significant to both of you. Think of it as a secret handshake that lasts forever.
9. Double Your Wardrobe
If your budget to shop for new threads is nonexistent, look no further than your best friend's closet to double your wardrobe. If your BFF isn't the same size as you, invite all of your friends over for a clothing swap. Have everyone bring everything they no longer wear, and allow the group to decide what they want to take. Anything left over you can sell online, or donate to Goodwill.
10. Volunteer To Walk Shelter Dogs Together
If you and your bestie spend hours stalking cute dog accounts on Instagram, bring that puppy love into your real life by volunteering to walk dogs at a shelter or rescue. I've done this, and it's super rewarding for both you and the dogs. It's also a great way to get some snuggle time with animals even if you're not ready for a dog IRL. Just research shelters and rescues in your city or town. Most of them rely on volunteers to exercise their dogs.
11. Participate In A Challenge Together
Whether it's learning to meditate, or quitting smoking, most goals are more easily achieved when there are people there to hold you accountable. I recently completed a 30-day meditation challenge with my bestie and some other friends, and I can say the only reasonI finished it was because we checked in with each other every day to report our progress. If you and your bestie have goals you want to reach, together or separately, team up to help each other succeed.
12. Be A Tourist In Your Own City
OK, I'll be the first to admit it. I have lived in Los Angeles for five years and there are tons of things I have never done that every tourist has on their must-do list. When you live somewhere every day, it's easy to take for granted what you have right outside your own front door. Grab your bestie and spend a day as tourists in your own city or town. Not only will you learn something new, and have fun, you'll also have the opportunity to take all of those touristy snaps.
13. Commit To A Tech-Free Day Together
If you and your bestie spend most of your time texting memes back and forth, one way to deepen your relationship IRL in 2018 is to commit to spending some tech-free days together. Seriously, pretend it's 1985 and no one has a cellphone or computer. You might be surprised at how much you learn about each other when you spend a whole day doing something outside, going for a drive without directions, or talking without the distraction of your phones.
14. Pick Out Online Dates For One Another
If you and your bestie are both single, and all of your dates have been a bust recently, maybe it's time to pick out dates for one another. Set some ground rules, and then hit the dating apps. You pick out a good date (not a joke date) for your bestie and let them pick one out for you. And, commit to going on at least one date with whomever you choose for each other. If it doesn't work out, you can file the experience away in your 2018 war stories. If you're wavering, remember what Tina Fey said, and just say yes.
