Why Are Female Friendships Important?
Community is the core of what we do here at #GIRLGETAFTERIT. The women in our nationwide-community inspire us every day and seeing these connections being built made us ask – why are female friendships so important anyway? So, we asked our a few of our Ambassadors what they thought! Keep reading to see why they appreciate their female friendships.
GINA – @gmvaldes_
The strong female friendships I have in my life mean everything to me. They are the sisters I know I can always lean on and remind me of my power when I seem to forget. They encourage me to live big, love without boundaries, and take up space instead of playing small. I truly would not be who I am without the incredible women in my life!
ALENA – @training2xl
My female friendships mean everything to me. I grew up with a lot of (wonderful) men in my life, but I think that actually made me value my female friendships more. There is a level of understanding of things that my brothers, husband, and male friends will never truly get; that is what my girls are for! I realized just how valuable my female friendships are when it came to determining who I wanted to stand beside me on my wedding day, and though I had my brothers as my "men of honor" and 1 bridesman, I had 4 of my bestest girlfriends standing by my side. Strong female friendships are essential because it's important you surround yourself with badass women that lift you up, support you, clap for you, and be there to lean on (just as you would do for them). Being in a male-dominated industry (S&C), having female friendships has been so important to compliment the testosterone I'm normally surrounded by ... Life is too short for sub-par friendships - quality over quantity, baby! Thankful for the incredible women in my life.
SHADDIA – @the_fittherapist
My female friends mean low maintained and genuine connection! No matter what goes on in our lives we know that when we get together we’ll be picking up right where we left off. There’s no pressure to be anything outside of who we are or pretend our lives are anything other than how it is.
NICOLE – @nicolewildcollective
My girlfriends are my people that I lean on for an ear, an honest opinion, a change in perspective - or for a little bit of hype when I'm feeling less than my best. My girlfriends are the people I adventure with, explore new places, travel, sit on the couch and do nothing, and find endless laughter around. I think that sisterhood can bring an energy of true support, connection + deep care that is not quite matched elsewhere. It is important to me that the women in my life feel my support, and I'll be forever cheering loudly for the women around me in their unique paths and pursuits. There's deep peace in understanding that we don't have to compete with other women - and that we'll all go farther if we spend our energy lifting each other up instead. Tapping into this has lead me to a deep appreciation for how unique and different all the women in my life are. We all have something so different to offer to the world, and to our families and communities. I have learned so much from each of the females who I am lucky enough to call friends, and I am better for it!
DIANA – @dianadaviscreative
I used to think I wanted all guy friends—no cattiness, no gossip, no drama, but having female friends has been SO HEALING and EMPOWERING for me. I think I was just afraid to go deep. Once I found female friends I could relate to, the rest is history. I even had 10 women over to my house last night! Having a sisterhood circle that not only cheers you in your wins but also roots for you in your lows, is the most healing thing I've ever experienced. FIND YOUR PEOPLE and keep them close.
JOY – @joychiekwe
I wouldn't be where I am now without my female friendships! As corny as it may sound, my girls just get it. With one look or word, we can all be connected. Female friendships are important to feel safe and heard in areas that our partners, families or other male friends may not understand. My girl friends inspire me every day the way they take up space in their male dominated fields and how they don't let anything or anyone stand in their way when going for their goals. My female friendships allow me to think bigger, smile bigger and ~brunch~ even harder!
KAYLA – @kaylaleemills
Being raised by a single mother I learned from a really young age that your best girlfriends will be there to help you to pick up the pieces. My mom always had friends around her who were willing to step in, and she did the same for them. From rides back and forth from school, weekends at "aunties", "family" trips with her other single mom friends she set the example for the people I surround myself with. Friendships can be temporary or expand over decades but what I have learned in my adult life is that they are never worth forcing. I am grateful to be surrounded by so many strong, independent, giving and creative girlfriends but it wasn't always that way... actually for a lot of my life I wondered if I was going to have the chance to cultivate strong female relationships like my mama.
My friendships truly pivoted in my adult life. It was not until I truly connected with myself and stripped the layers of who I thought I needed to be for other people, before I had the chance to experience my favorite level of female friendship, vulnerability. Sure, I told my friends secrets growing up, but there is nothing like pouring your soul to someone and knowing that regardless of the words coming out of your mouth they are lending a judgement-free ear. For me, adult friendships are vulnerable, they are raw and real. Adult friendships are tears from laughing too hard and even more tears from heartbreak, change, loss, grief... Adult friendships are meeting people where they are - that week, that month, that season, that year. Adult friendships are an understanding that I am here for you after I am there for myself (and vice versa). The vulnerability that comes with raw connection in adult life makes it possible to feel so close to people you may have only known for a couple of years, or less than a year, or just met three weeks ago. The modern day version of the phrase "it takes a village" is how I would describe the importance of my female friendships, we are in each other's lives to build on what we accomplish separately, to cheer each other on, to lend/borrow a shoulder to lean on...
The importance of female friendships in adult life are our own "villages" - the right ones are vital lines of support from near or afar.
Female friendships are some of the strongest relationships we cultivate in our adult life so, hug your girlfriends a little tighter when you see them next and relish your time together. We’re so lucky to know such amazing women, and we hope you are too.
If you feel like you haven’t found your group yet be sure to check out our IRL Squad and see if we’re up and running in your city! We also have a blog post with tips on how to make new friends as an adult. In fact, tag us on the ‘gram or Tik Tok with your favorite photo/video/moment with your best girlfriend!