For $3.00 once a week, I have been able to strengthen my friendships, provide myself with total escape, and become a much happier person. For $3.00 once a week, I go to the movies with my friends.
Our town has renovated an old theater into a community supported movie theater. We show movies that are now released on DVD, hence the $3.00 admission fee. Our theater is staffed by a volunteer family each shift; from ticket taking at the booth, to selling the concessions. The hosting family is allowed to stay for the feature, or if not appropriate, they can return at a later date to watch something of their own choosing.
When I first began going to these movies, I would go by myself. I had the thought of asking a friend after awhile and that grew into asking groups of people to go. I am always buoyed by the sight of seeing my friends waiting for me in front of the theater. It visually reminds me that I have people in this world that truly know me, and enjoy spending time with me, and vice versa.
It reminds me of the connections I have and that I am not alone in my everyday life.
We sit and watch the movie together, we then walk to our cars, and hold an informal critique of what we liked, or didn’t like. We eagerly voice our choices for the coming movies, and then promise to meet the following week, at the same time.
Many of us are not able to pay for weekly dinners out or time at a salon, but we are able to find $3.00, to treat ourselves to this night of total escape in a movie. It may be only a movie to some of the people that go, but to our movie group, it is a reminder that we belong to a larger collective.We are part of a bigger picture than just the role we play in our daily lives. We feel reinforced in our friendships and less alone in this world. We count on each other and this inexpensive night out allows us to feel our importance in each other’s lives.
It is true that scheduling this takes deliberate effort but planning dinner for our children as well as finding a babysitter for the two hours that we’re gone is worth the effort to see it through. We are happier when we return home, and that makes us better people to all those that we are around.
This informal and inexpensive way of spending time with each other has brought something into my life that gives me an event to look forward to every week.
At the end of a long week, perhaps one that really had me submerged in motherhood and life, I have my movie night to look forward to. While I am very happy providing and taking care of my family, movie night brings a feeling of balance into my life. It is something I do for me, so that the work I do at home never becomes to feel like it’s done in resentment, because I don’t have the time I need to breathe or develop life outside of my home.
I leave happy for the movies, and come home happy from the movies. I am renewed in spirit and feel joy in connecting with my movie friends.
Alexandra works as both a caterer and stay at home mother to 3 boys in a small town. She keeps a personal blog www.gooddayregularpeople.com, where she co-blogs with her children of their adventures in homeschooling. To quote Alexandra, “it is all snips and snails and puppy dog tails”.
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[…] talks well in Is it only a movie? about what she found in her weekly movie out with friends: “It reminds me of the connections I […]
Thank you, Stacey, for providing the important resource that The Mom Renewal Project is, to all of us out here who are looking for ways to nurture ourselves and our lives.
I am so very excited to be part of the amazing women who contribute here, at Mom Renewal Project.
.-= Alexandra´s last blog ..Lifetime Movie Network Originals Present- Celine!!! =-.
awesome way to spend $3 and have a great time! love it!!
this stirs lots of thoughts…cool that they have this and that you can be a part of it…we have to take that time to care for ourselves and the important relationships in life to keep them healthy…to keep ourselves healthy…if we dont what are we really providing for our kids when we are worn out…
~not a mom, but…smiles.
.-= brian´s last blog ..mourning after =-.
Great idea…now, to find away to get away from my family for 2 hours. That’s the challenge!
.-= gigi´s last blog ..My Blogging Arch-Nemesis =-.
Thanks so much for introducing us to this site, Alexandra! What a great idea, and something I’ve been trying so hard to work on as you know…
Wonderful post. I love how in your weekly outing you can combine two things – the pleasure of both a movie escape/good story and the company of friends. I’ve relied on movies too, and only recently began to feel less guilty for paying money to see a movie in the theaters. Blogging is great, but sometimes it’s rejuvenating to step away from the computer 🙂
Nice to see you over here.
.-= Only You´s last blog ..Never too late =-.
Thanks, Alexandra, for introducing me to this site. I wish I had felt brave enough to step away from the mommy role to rejuvenate early on. I could have avoided a lot of depression, anxiety and stress. At least I know now that it’s okay to take me-time and I should not feel guilty about it!
.-= Mungee’s Ma´s last blog ..Id Like to Thank =-.
i miss my girlfriends so much–we’ve all since moved apart–and making new ones has proven to be difficult. girl time makes my world a better place.
.-= Tiffany´s last blog ..Vaginal warts and mad cow disease have nothing in common Except- when they do =-.
Holy guacamole, Batman! I had no idea you were homeschooling your kids. Sorry if I zoned out and should have been aware of this. But no wonder you’re tired. And here we’ve been commiserating about things, and I have no business comparing my one little apple to your three food-styled oranges. Damn. Humbled. I’d be a crispy, charred nugget if I were doing that. Oh, and the movie idea is a great one!
.-= K A B L O O E Y´s last blog ..Youve Got Buttloads of Mail! =-.
Great idea, the movies. We all time to rejuvenate ourselves! I’ve been trying to make an effort with that, and, though it’s hard, it is always so worth it. I’m a better mom for it.
So glad you pulled me over. What a great place here with an amazing purpose. Your $3 movie night is a brilliant idea. We don’t have a $3 theater anymore, but do have a half price one. I agree that it doesn’t take much money to find a way to fill my cup a little. Every mom needs that recharging time. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent site! It is something we all dearly need and I let go for far too long. Fixed it though and feel better than I have in years.
.-= Motpg´s last blog ..Our House- Do I Hear Brass =-.
I have a similar setup with my girlfriends for Sunday brunch. Though it can be hard to organize, and we don’t all show up every time, it’s very rejuvanating!
Can I whine at you now about how I want to live there? Or does that get me kicked out of movie club?
.-= KLZ´s last blog ..Here Piggy- Piggy =-.
Great idea, Empress. My “me” time is either a walk to Borders followed by an hour of wandering around or a trip to the library.
.-= chickensconsigliere´s last blog ..If You Give a Chicken a Glass of Chardonnay =-.
Wonderful site – with an admirable goal. Can I go to the movies with you too??? Huh, Alexandra? That sounds like so much fun! It’s so important to take time for yourself and connect with friends – and I don’t do it often enough.
Thanks for the reminder that I can and I SHOULD!
PS – You’re a caterer too? Good god, woman, where do you find time for it all?
This might sound corny, but wow, that $3 night out sounds so incredibly quaint. How wonderful to have a community movie theater. How wonderful the women who come together to enjoy a couple hours of peace in eachother’s company. Sincerely. Glad you have this circle of ladies.
(Thanks for sending me over here. Like a deep cleansing breath.)
.-= Ash´s last blog ..Dropping my short =-.
I’m blushing. You can tell by my comment on your blog, dear Empress that I thought you’d be writing about something else.
Movies are good too.
.-= Joey @ Big Teeth & Clouds´s last blog ..I spent an hour making this mess =-.
Movies have always been one of my favorite mental vacations. Books, of course, are my first and daydreaming while my husband is talking is a close second.
We had a $1 movie theater where I used to live, and those made the best girl’s nights out! I think it sounds like a wonderful way to recharge!
.-= amber´s last blog ..Five Reasons I’m Not Trying Out For Project Mom =-.
Wow! That is so cool. What a fun way to recharge and hang out with your friends.
.-= Daenel´s last blog ..Book Review and Giveaway- Life’s Too Short to Fold Fitted Sheets by Lisa Quinn =-.
It’s so exciting to having so many new readers here at The Mom Renewal Project. I can’t help but want to say HI!
Alexandra – Thank you for sharing your stories and your wisdom with us. It takes a village to experience the true essence of motherhood, so thank you for now being part of my village.
Brian – I know I don’t provide my children the mom they really need when I’m worn out, which is why I created this blog and why I make sure I find time to recharge everyday.
Gigi – I’d like to challenge you to go on a 2 hour date with yourself. No family members allowed.
Only You – Social media helps me refuel, but truly spending alone time with myself allows me to authentically recharge.
Mungee’s Ma – Cheers to taking ME time and not feeling guilty about it!
Tiffany – Girl time most definitely makes the world a better place. Well said!
Amy – I’m a better moms for taking time to rejuvenate too. Thanks for sharing.
Alicia – I hope, with a collective voice, we can give more moms permission to find time to recharge.
Motpg – Cheers to self-care. Happy to hear how great you feel.
Keely – This summer I’ve been meeting friends at the beach. It’s priceless.
chickensconsigliere – Love your Me time ideas.
The Flying Chalupa – I find Me time is easier to coordinate than Friend time. But I’m so happy when I finally do organize a friends night out.
Ash – Cheers to women circles! Your “Like a deep cleansing breath” comment made my day.
I really need to do something like this for myself. Hey, I deserve it!
.-= Mama Zen´s last blog ..Bonding Fail =-.
I wish we had something like that! Instead I treat myself to whatever new releases are on pay per view…chick flicks usually!
Great idea, I need to do this more often. We try to get together once a month but sometimes that doesn’t happen. I like your weekly ritual…it’s something I would LOVE.
.-= Melissa (Confessions of a Dr.Mom)´s last blog ..Linking it Up With Sibling Rivalry 31DBBB =-.
Nicely done Alexandra. What a great idea you’ve taken to a whole new level by inviting friends to join you.
.-= Cheryl´s last blog ..What a long strange trip its been =-.