Don’t let the title of this throw you off. I use the cliche hashtag to introduce my favorite topic in the world. My friends aka my #Squad.

2014 was a beyond challenging year. I was wallowing in self pity because my life didn’t look like the way I thought it would. I shut everyone out and it carried that sadness well into 2015.

2015, however, was the year of my friends. New and old stepped up in many ways to help transform my year and make it one of the most memorable of my life. I have this network of strong, Godly and powerful women that are changing the world with their hearts and minds.

You know I used to hate on Taylor Swift and her serial dating ways but I will say her love for her friends is something I try to emulate. I want to cherish these relationships and nurture them during a time of our lives that loneliness tends to weaken our spirits. Adults will laugh but being in your 20s is hard. Finding the perfect job for you, learning to budget and pay bills, getting to know yourself, finding a husband (or buying a plant you know same difference), heartbreak, disappointment, and dealing with the daily struggle that most of your friends and family don’t live in the same town as you.

I have been fortunate to have some of these people in my life since birth (see above), some for over 10 years, and some that I was grateful to meet later in life. Either way their impact on my life will be something I thank God for forever. So below I wanted to list out things my friends are wonderful at and how I try to keep our bond stronger than ever. I hope you too can use these things to strengthen your #Squad.

1. Write notes. I have one friend who is beyond the best at this. I get more notes from her and cards than anyone else. Including my parents. She sends little messages of encouragement throughout the year and I envy her diligence and consistency. Words are my life. This act of kindness can change my day and week and I save them all to look back on. Hand-written notes are a lost art. I encourage you to revive the trend and send words of encouragement at least twice this year.
   
2. Make time. Plan trips and weekends for you all to spend time together. Build memories of girls trips, dinners and movie nights. Give yourself an escape from reality for a brief time with the people who know you best. Quality time is what keeps these relationships strong.
   
3. Celebrate. This one is my favorite. CELEBRATE!! Celebrate birthdays, holidays, seasons, sports, I don’t care if you have to make up something to celebrate. Get dressed up and have a fun night out! LAUGH and enjoy each other’s company. These will be the memories you carry with you for the rest of your life.
   
4. Group text. People will roll their eyes at this one but my group texts are what help me survive some hard weeks. The constant back and forth of laughter and snarky comments or the moments where you have a group of people lifting you up is the best feeling in the world. So give it a try. Just don’t abuse the power.
   
5. Take pictures/videos. TAKE SO MANY PICTURES. Be stupid and make dumb faces. Take videos of your friends singing karaoke embarrassingly that you can send to her once a month to remind her not to quit her day job. Capture the moment and share it! TELL THE WORLD HOW FREAKING FANTASTIC YOUR FRIENDS ARE! I don’t care if you triple post on Instagram. If you are having a blast and sharing the happiness of your day with the best people in your life then tell the whole world! Let the social media rules go out the window. #NoRegrets am I right?
   
6. CALL YOUR FRIENDS. This is my big one. I call my friends. Every single one of them. Some weeks I am better at this than others but I try to be intentional. Get a routine. Make skype/facetime dates. Take time to catch up on life and stay engaged on what they are dealing with. Your #Squad is your support system and you are there’s, but you can’t support someone if you have no idea what is going on in their life. SO PICK UP THE PHONE. 
   

I am beyond blessed with some unreal people that I don’t deserve. I hope one day if I ever have a daughter that she get’s to experience the unfathomable love that comes from being in a world dominating #Squad. So as we start 2016 let’s make it a year of our friends. A year where we turn our average goals and resolutions into #SquadGoals!

 

With love from me to you,

Nichole

 

Follow me on Instagram: nichole_davidson

Follow me on Twitter: @NicholeDavidson