Galentine's Day
- Why this "new" holiday is important for decreasing your anxiousness and bettering your self-confidence.
The contraductive holiday that has been praised by millennial women since it`s debute in 2010.
Galentine's Day, formed by a blend of gal and Valentine's Day, is a day in which women celebrate their female friendships.
The origin of the terminology
"The new holiday debuted in a 2010 episode of Parks and Recreation. After that 2010 debut, the word was mentioned in episodes that aired in 2012 and 2014, and by 2016 evidence of the word’s appeal was starting to show up in national and international publications, as people everywhere embraced the very idea of a holiday for celebrating friendships," Merriam Webster continues.
Valentine`s Day vs Galentine`s Day
Well, we all probably feel a small angst when it comes to Valentine's day as it is worldly commercialized to remind us of romantical love and if you have it or not in your life. This making women start doubting their lovelife and men to pursue women just to feel less lonely. It gives me a nasty taste in my mouth just by writing this, but it doesn't make it less true.
According to a resent artical by Health & Wellness Writer Cathy Cassata for verywellmind.com, clinical psychologist and director of behavioral health at Hims & Hers, Beth Pausic, says;
“- There has always been an intense amount of societal pressure placed on Valentine’s Day and especially so for single people. All aspects of our social lives have been altered in the last two years, making it very challenging to date(...)”
"So if you're single this Valentine's Day, experts recommend taking a moment to recognize all the challenges you've faced in the past two years and choosing to be kind to yourself," Cassata writes.
Here is why Galentine`s Day can take the edge off all these Hallmark holiday talk.
It's no secret that many people have a love-hate kind of relationship with Valentine’s Day because to be honest sis: this holiday is, at its root, disparaged as a manufactured holiday foisted upon us by greeting card companies, and often a sense that it’s only for people who are romantically paired, making it feel rooted in exclusion. All of which sets the stage perfectly for Galentine’s Day. That’s right!
—a day for women to celebrate their friendships with their lady friends. It’s Valentine’s Day with your gals and it`s celebrated on Feb. 13(today) each year.
Many have accepted the holiday as a day to hang out with best friends — regardless of gender. A Galentine’s Day celebration can include all genders and all of those that you adore.
How to celebrate Galentine's Day You might be the type of girlfriend that always celebrates your friendships as a norm, and if so- Yeeaasss sis! More of that. But if you are not, I urge you to take time out today and connect with one of your girls, sisters, mother, aunties or just your mixed tribe. You decide. As long as they are your people.
Catch up. Enjoy a nice meal. Share your focus for 2022 or just watch a movie, go ice skating, heck! have a digital party and enjoy each other`s company. Really, no activity is off limits.
My favorite way of celebrating friendship or any moment or relationship I cherish is through sharing a meal. Brunch, dinner or a snacky catch up.
Doesn`t matter, because there is something magical that takes place when dining with your people.
It might be the longest meal because of all of the laughters, dance breaks and the "let the Pictures by: Ileana Alvares Reyes
food digest"- phase of the whole soiree. Absolutely amazing. If this is you as well, then girl, start texting and make it happen.
Celebrate Galentine`s Day more often
Between being a self-made - highly educated- goal oriented- healthy- minded - activist- adventurous- partner- caring daughter- supportive sister & friend- mother- and a career focused independent millennial woman, life can become a bit overwhelming. Sis, you need to give yourself a break and start making plans that honor YOUR needs.
Further down in Cathy Cassata`s piece, LCSW, psychotherapist Gina Moffa, says when commenting the anxiousness that these Hallmark seasons might bring on.
"make plans that feel nourishing, see friends who you are deeply connected to, celebrate the positive things in your life, and remember that being in a relationship does not equal ‘success’ or ‘happiness’ or ‘wholeness."
Myself and my girlfriends try to meet up and celebrate us once every month, it`s not always easy but we all understand the importance of our sisterly connection in a grind culture that we`ve, collectively, been exposed to as mankind`s first digital natives.
Moffa continues,
"- surround yourself with people who value you and make you feel loved and cared about. Even if it's virtual. Connection is connection.”
Staying connected to people who not only value you but also know you, will nourish your self-image, decrease your anxiousness and help maintain your self-confidence.
I wish you a happy Galentine`s Day sis and happy Norwegian mother`s day to all of you mamas out there.
Gratitude & Love,
