In this BIT: Our top tips on how to balance your social life, including balancing friends and family. Plus, see our advice on how to make plans!
Life can feel like a whirlwind! Not only do we need to keep up with school and extracurriculars; homework and studying. We also want to spend time with loved ones – both family and friends. On top of this, we need time to fulfill responsibilities (i.e. chores), do things that bring us happiness, and take downtime. In our busy lives, how can we balance spending time with both family and friends? Our top advice is listed below.
In order to find balance in our lives, we need to find an element of flexibility. If your friends are really busy with extracurriculars, or struggle with getting a ride, talk to your parents and explain the situation to them. Perhaps you can spend time with your family after you hangout with your friends, since it’s difficult to organize everyone and find a time that works for all your friends. On the other hand, if your parents work a lot and having family time is challenging to accommodate, talk to them about when you can reschedule your hangout with your friends.
Keep in mind that part of being flexible means that not everything is going to work out 100% of the time, and that’s ok! Life is unpredictable, and it’s important to be willing to change plans to accommodate loved ones. Your friends will understand how your family wants to have some time with you, since their family likely holds similar values. Side note: if your friend is mad at you for not being able to hangout because of family reasons, they just might not be the best friend – that’s a silly thing to get mad over!
Spontaneous last minute plans can be fun, but if you and your friends make plans a few days in advance, your parents are far more likely to agree. Not to mention, making plans with your friends in advance will also give your parents time to make family plans around your friend plans.
This might sound TERRIFYING, but try to combine family time with friend time. Invite a friend over to a family dinner, or for a family outing, like a day trip, a ski trip, to the zoo, the local amusement park, or the fair. This way you’ll get to spend time with your friend (while doing something fun!), as well as be with your family.
We hope that these tips help you find a balance in your social life with both your family and friends, bringing you a small bit of happiness.
For more happiness check out our Mood Boost page.
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