Why is the Girl’s Trip so Important? I’ll tell you why…

Hopefully, all of us have had the experience of a Girl’s trip. Generally, girls are better at putting trips together than boys, so we typically go on more outings with the girls.

I think we are better at putting them together because they are so essential for our souls.

Girls are social, not saying boys aren’t, but it’s emotionally driven from deep down in our DNA. To sit with your girlfriends and let loose or bare your soul or ask for advice, or both simultaneously; It’s what we girls need.

There are many different kinds of Girl’s trips.

Wine, camping, skiing, fishing, shopping, the list goes on.

It depends on what people you invite to go on the trip. Some prefer wine tastings or camping, maybe a night at the theatre, who knows what it is, it’s just essential to take part with your friends.

Family

Recently I had a girl’s weekend with family. I hadn’t seen my family for two years with all this covid stuff going on. I made the trek down to the states, and it felt so good. It was funny at the border; the agent was so happy to see someone come through. It was like he hadn’t talked to anyone going south for two years. That’s what happens when the border is closed, I guess.

I was so excited about this trip. Number one, to celebrate my fantastic cousin at her bridal shower. Number two, to see family, people who look like me. People who know stories of my childhood and stories of my parents. To understand where I came from and to realize that these people care about me even if I haven’t seen them in a long time. We are connected, and that connection felt wonderful to awaken again. Even to get a hug, it was awesome. It was a short visit, but it filled my cup in a way I had been missing.

Fishing at Zipper Mouth Inlet

I also just returned from a girl’s fly fishing trip.

It had been about 12 years since we all fished together, and this time we left the men at home. We planned the trip a year ago, and the build-up was exciting.

It was one of the first trips that I was a passenger, so to speak. I just showed up. That was new for me, and it felt a little weird, but I just went with it.

Here’s what I learned from this trip. You can sit back and be a spectator and learn amazing things from women you aren’t always around. I watched one friend hold space for each and every person she talked to on the trip. She was engaged in the conversations and genuinely interested to learn something from everyone. Taking them for who they are and searching for what they can teach her in a conversation.

I learned a lot just watching it all unfold.

I saw someone who is a teacher when they didn’t know they were teaching—being patient and kind and giving helpful hints here and there.

I saw each woman have grit and determination when trying to land coho with a fly rod. It’s not an easy task, but we all managed to catch and release a few.

I saw women come together in sport.

I am grateful for all the beautiful people that sport has brought into my life, including these amazing women.

Our slogan, “Last cast…maybe.” If you fish, you get it.

I learned there are many different types of Gin. I haven’t found a bad one yet, but I think we will all keep looking. I saw hidden talents in each of the ladies I went on this trip with, and I was amazed by how much we could build each other up.

It was an adventure filled with laughs and hugs and the sharing of who we are. I hope they learned something from me too. I realized that I don’t have to take the reigns all the time; sometimes, it’s nice to be a spectator.

The Tribe

I have found over the years that when you want to let loose a bit, you know which tribe members to call. I refer to my people, my confidants, as my tribe. We aren’t related by blood, but we probably should be. These are the ladies that I can call at a moment’s notice, and we can all come together and support each other in whatever way is needed. You need a shoulder to cry on, done. You need to get drunk and act crazy, done.

These tribe weekends are what rejuvenates the soul.

If you feel like you need to get away from your family and not be responsible and want someone to be accountable for you, you call the tribe.

I should say that through our lives, the tribe may change from time to time. It depends on where you are at in life. Maybe you have changed a bit, and a friendship falls away. Please don’t despair, that person was in your life to teach you something, and they probably did. It’s ok to move forward and find a new tribe member if you need to.

I know that it is nice to have different groups to be a part of, with strong women who can help build you up when you are falling apart or who you can help out in a way they need. It is ok to be the spectator and learn from other women, and it is ok to take the lead. It’s ok if a weekend takes a hard left too! That’s for my ski gals!

I want to thank all the women in my life who have participated in one way or another in a girl’s weekend. You all have helped me grow as a person, and I appreciate all of you!

Now go start planning your next trip together.