This month on The Haute Take we’ve been talking about what it means to have a #HauteGirlSummer and what that can be for us – which got me to thinking … what is a Haute Girl Summer without a girl’s trip?! There’s no denying that the pandemic and so many things happening in the world have weighed us all down and presented many of us with hurdles.

In the past few years, virtual socializing has played an important role in keeping us connected and aided us in carrying on with our personal and professional lives. But, there’s nothing that can replace human interaction. As someone who lives away from her family, I know this all too well.

I love my kids and husband as much as the next person but there’s no denying that with all of the sheltering in place and working from home there were times when tension was at an all time high. They say that distance makes the heart grow fonder, and I’m a firm believer in this. You owe it to yourself and your family to take a break, get out of your routine and reconnect with others for a change. And no I don’t mean to grab a coffee or go out for dinner with some friends, although those types of outings are also important.

I’m talking about a girl's trip! Somewhere between marriage, motherhood and this pandemic, I have lost more of myself than I’ve ever felt before. It just has felt like an ongoing cycle that needed to be broken in order to give me a much-needed refresh to give myself and my family the best version of me.

I know I can’t be the only one who feels this way. I’ve talked about self care on the blog before and how that can take on different forms. This is your sign to really put yourself first, talk to your spouse and arrange childcare, and give your besties a call to plan a girls getaway!

Alhamdulillah, I am fortunate to have a close relationship with my sisters and cousin, who we’ve taken on as our fourth sister since we were kids! We pretty much do everything together when the opportunity presents itself. My family lives in Canada, and I usually go there during summers to spend time with them. This year my sisters and cousin decided they’d like to take a weekend off and go on a girl’s trip!

One of my sisters is pregnant with her first, so we thought it would be the perfect little trip before she buckles down with her newborn. At first I was against going. The only time I left my daughter was an overnight stay at the hospital when I gave birth to my son. Ladies, I had ALL the thoughts: How will my kids function without me? I don’t want to burden my mom by leaving the kids. My son (three years old) is too young for me to leave him.

Sometimes we are our own worst enemies and talk ourselves out of things that really can be achieved. With a lot of convincing and a big push from my husband I realized that this is exactly what I needed to do, and that this opportunity may not come up again in the near future.

Letting go of the mom-guilt was the biggest hurdle to overcome for me to go on the trip and fully enjoy myself. Once I saw how happy my kids were at their grandparents house (and knowing I could talk to them through Facetime), I was able to let go and relax. For the first time in five years, I flew with only one carry-on and was actually able to read a book and do tatreez on a flight!

I felt so light going through airport security and moving around the airport. It felt weird, I felt like something was missing, but it was amazing. For the first time, I didn’t have to worry about car seat arrangements in our car rental, or lugging around a stroller. I was able to enjoy my beverage and snack without worrying about it spilling all over me. I enjoyed meals at a restaurant and sipped a fancy latte. These things all seem so simple. But anyone with little children knows the struggle of traveling with kids and taking them on outings.

It was refreshing to just be in the moment with my sisters and cousin and actually hold conversations outside of kid-related topics and motherhood. It was so fun to jam to music I actually wanted to listen to on the highway instead of the usual Disney soundtracks or Arabic kids’ nasheeds. We also met up with some childhood friends who live in the city we visited. It was just like old times, the girls catching up.

I know that I am privileged and have the support to take a trip like this, and that not everyone may have the same opportunity. But, I highly encourage you to talk to your spouse and those around you that can help make a trip like this possible. Oftentimes we are the ones who talk ourselves out of even trying.

If going away to another city, state or country is not an option, consider a staycation where you and your friends book a cabin or beach house. You can even rediscover your own city. Book a hotel room for the weekend and find activities in your city that you’ve never done or heard about before! The options are endless when you have the right mindset.

This post is your reminder to give the women in your life a call and seriously plan a girls getaway. The sisterhood of women-centric friendship is so vital for our well being. If you’re in need of a girls’ trip, chances are your girlfriends and/or sisters are too and probably just need a little nudge in the right direction – just like I did.