Lately I have been reflecting on my year, and what things went well or not so well, as one does in these final weeks. While my social calendar was not packed with standing parties each month, the engagements I did attend or host were a much needed social balm, soothing my extroverted itch. This past year, I feel like my life has had a theme of asking for or creating what I want to see in my life. After all, we have the ability to set in motion events and circumstances that we want to experience. One of the things I had wanted to do was have a rotating host of friends for dinner on a monthly basis. I was fortunate that I had a group of friends that I had been becoming closer with, and had the added fun of choosing different types of cuisine for each meeting. It was nice to have this standing culinary communion while getting to deepen our friendships and spend time in good company. Of course, life gets busy and schedules can get complicated, so the dinners eventually came to an end, but I was proud of myself that I was able to help orchestrate a desire into time well spent with those I care for. I have found from my own experience and hearing the lamentations from friends that we want to romanticize our lives, and yet we wait. Wait and hope that someone else in our friend group will 1) magically know what we want and 2) take the initiative to make it happen. As adults with control of our calendars, social battery, and finances, we have the ability to fund and organize gatherings that will bring us such joy. While the meals that I had shared with this small group of friends was not always fancy or maybe the conversation was not always glittering, each time we got together, I felt something other than my stomach was being fed. Like my heart and soul were pushing back from the table, metaphorical bellies full, eyes half closed in contentment. This really hit the spot. So reader, I would heartily encourage you to be bold, and make those plans, invite those friends who give you the warm fuzzy feelings, and have these soft but satisfying experiences that make a life full. It does not have to be lavish or have an elaborate itinerary to be beautiful and fulfilling. How do you know who to invite, or what to plan? Here’s what I recommend: the moment you find yourself thinking of a friend or group, I fully believe that this is our hearts telling us who we need to be around. Beyond that, simply collaborate on what you both would enjoy doing together, and commit to making it happen. Want to squeeze some extra squishy sweet feeling from this outing? Wear an outfit, or makeup or hairstyle that makes you feel fabulous. I promise, bringing a smile to your own face because of how you look or feel is the cherry on this social sundae. Aside from just feeling so good, you’re also getting to flex those muscles of taking action to create your own dopamine, and that is a power move.

Well reader, how are you going to romanticize your life, and do things that bring you joy? If you feel compelled, I would love to hear about it in the comments.