Girlhood

By Avika

Girlhood - What is it?

Girlhood is defined as “the period when a person is a girl and not yet a woman, or the state of being a girl.” As a scientific definition, I really cannot deny it, but girlhood is so much more. Before moving on to what I think girlhood means, let me tell you a bit more about how girlhood has redefined fashion, film, music, TV, etc. In today’s age, girlhood has inevitably made a huge difference and has influenced these majorly.

Bows, frills, lace, ballet flats, and shades and tones of pink have become more prominent, with beaded jewellery and pearls hogging the racks. That little element of hair bows and little hair clips has started to adorn hair now. Films like Barbie, shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty, and vinyls of Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift can be seen very often. We even got the “girl math,” “girl dinner,” and “girl walks,” and “just a girl” trend to decline society’s idea of hustle culture. Mary Janes, The Marc Jacob bag, anything Miu Miu, and Gisou lip oils have captured the internet, all thanks to Girlhood.

But to me, girlhood is much deeper than its materialistic significance. Girlhood is comfort; it’s togetherness; it’s the relief of not being judged. Knowing that I can ditch my slick-back bun and my Betsey Johnson purse and yet still be loved and cared for. To know that I have my girlies beside me, today and forever. To know that they will always accept me for who I actually am. To know that we could be having a photoshoot on our digital cameras and a serious, deep conversation the next second. To know that I could be on my last straw, with my mascara running and my lipstick smudged, and my girls would still have my back.

It is the little things that make girlhood. To sneakily check for period stains, to borrow each other’s blush, to make each other’s hair, to just sit down and talk for hours, to go on a coffee run and have a “sweet treat,” to fix our mascaras, and most importantly, to be our biggest supporters.

When I was thinking about the one example I could give about my personal experience with girlhood, I was blank. Not because of the fact that I had no experiences, but because I was so indulged in thinking of that one example, I forgot that these small examples join together and make girlhood, and I experience these small elements and events every day. Genuinely, every single day.

So yes, girlhood is bows and baby pink, but girlhood is also being connected with

my little self while being connected to every single girl around me. They could be 10, 25, or even 67, and you would still see a pinch of girlhood within all of them. Girlhood is lip oils, and Versace heels, but it is also unconditional love. Unwavering support and incomparable care. So for me, girlhood will always be a blessing, and a victory. Girls! Girls! Girls!

Brb, gotta dance to Feather by Sabrina Carpenter! 🎀