August 1st rolls in and like clockwork, the internet remembers it’s National Girlfriends Day not to be confused with Valentine’s Day, International Women’s Day, or your birthday. This one’s different. It’s not just about lovers. It’s about celebrating the soft bonds that exist between women, the sisterhood, the ride-or-die friendships, and the “I got you” relationships that keep many of us sane in this beautifully chaotic world.
Girlfriends Day is that rare holiday that doesn’t need cake or expensive gifts to count. It’s about connection. Not just romantic, but also platonic, maternal, and everything in between. It’s a day to appreciate the girls who hold your hand when your life is unravelling, the sister who knows how to read your silences, your bestie who sends you memes during work hours to keep you from burning your laptop, and even your mum who insists you eat something — even after a fight.
It’s also the day the group chat becomes emotional. Suddenly, everyone’s posting voice notes:
“Love you girls, wouldn’t trade y’all for anything.”
And someone replies, “Awwwwww 🥹, we love you too boo.”
Then there’s always that one friend who drops a sarcastic, “Y’all still ain’t loyal, but it’s cool. Happy Girlfriends Day I guess.”
Balance right? Maybe.
The Internet is in Her Feelings
Social media is in full pastel mode today. If you’ve scrolled through Instagram or X (formerly Twitter), you’ve probably already seen at least 20 Girlfriends Day posts, complete with soft lighting, matching jammies, friendship photo dumps, and throwbacks from 2014 when eyebrows were a crime against humanity. Everyone’s posting stories: brunch dates, voice notes, inside jokes. Influencers? Oh, they’ve taken it up a notch — sponsored posts, monologues on sisterhood, perfectly curated aesthetics. (Not judging, just observing).
Coupled-up people have joined in too. Boyfriends and husbands are out here posting their babes with captions like:
“Happy Girlfriend’s Day to my peace, my home, my baby girl. You make every day worth it.”
Some include two-slide carousels. Others do ten. You can tell the level of love — or guilt — by how long the caption is.
Meanwhile, in the singles corner, it’s war.
Some are sneering from the sidelines, tweeting things like:
“Every day na one day celebration for you people. Can’t we rest?”
Others are reposting sarcastic memes:
“Not y’all celebrating Girlfriends Day when your babe didn’t reply your good morning text.”
Then there are those fake-deep hot takes:
“Love is a scam. Friendship is a lie. Only your therapist will truly get you.”
They’ll delete it by morning. It’s the cycle of online life.
But Seriously, Why It Matters
For all the banter and noise, there’s something real underneath the fluff. Girlfriends Day is a reminder that female friendship is underrated but powerful. In a world where women are often taught to compete, compare, or keep score, sisterhood is resistance. It’s healing. It’s soft landings.
We often talk about the importance of romantic partners — and yes, they matter. But there’s something unique about having girlfriends who just get it. Who show up for you when you can’t show up for yourself. Who hold space for your tears, your unwashed hair, your victories, and your chaos. They listen when you’re tired of explaining. They defend you behind your back. They remind you of who you are when you forget.
It’s your bestie staying on the phone with you at 11:54 p.m. while you cry about your job. Your sister dragging you to get suya because you’ve been in bed all day. Your uni roommate who messages you, out of nowhere, because she dreamt about you. These are not small things. These are anchors.
And it’s not just for the girls who talk every day. It’s also for the ones who pick up right where they left off. No drama, no guilt trips — just deep, unspoken understanding. That’s what Girlfriends Day is for.
Not Everyone Feels the Warmth And That’s Okay
For some people, days like this sting. Maybe you’ve outgrown your old friendships. Maybe the girls who were once your world now live in different cities, time zones, or emotional spaces. Maybe you’ve had more friendship breakups than romantic ones — and honestly, those hurt more. Maybe you’ve never had a “tribe,” and watching everyone else celebrate feels like being left out of a party you never got invited to.
If that’s you, I see you. And it’s okay. Everyone’s story looks different. Girlfriends Day isn’t just about what you have; it can also be about what you’re building. Maybe you’re learning to trust again. Or to be a better friend yourself. Or to receive softness without suspicion. That counts too.
So, What’s the Vibe?
Today is as much about reflection as it is about celebration. Whether you’re sending mushy messages, throwing subtle shade, or just quietly observing, Girlfriends Day invites all of us to consider the kind of women we are to each other.
Are we kind? Are we present? Are we safe spaces? Can our friendships survive distance, jealousy, life transitions, and silence? Can we grow together and also let each other go, gently, if the need arises?
It’s a lot, I know. But these are the questions worth asking not just on August 1st, but all year round.
So, shout out to the girlfriends who hold us down. The ones who keep our secrets, hype us up, check our nonsense, and never let us walk alone. You’re not just girlfriends. You’re lifelines.
Happy Girlfriends Day — whatever that means for you.