Galentine's Day's Increasing Popularity Proves Female Friendship Is the Ultimate Goal for Ladies in 2025

There has been increasing cynicism surrounding the holiday of Valentine’s Day, though this cynicism has always existed in some regard. Good ol’ capitalism, gender roles, and the “big flowers” and “big candy” corporations have convinced women that they need a Valentine for the special (but not-so-special) day. Women on social media have been increasingly outspoken about how thankful they are for their lone wolf label on February 14th and even more grateful for their Galentines on the 13th. The bottom line? This is a major step in a positive direction for gender equality, anti-consumerism, and empowering female friendships.

Valentine’s Day + Consumerism = <3 

This holiday is widely hated due to its pressure to consume. It isn’t anything new—Valentine’s Day has gotten the boot from single and taken individuals alike for decades. Plus, CVS and Walgreens have a bad habit of setting up their Valentine’s Day-themed aisles before the New Year’s Eve ball even drops. So we’re all left to ruminate on and stare at the same heart-shaped boxes of unpalatable chocolates and stuffed animals nobody really needs.

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Lovebirds looking to celebrate their special union don’t want to feel chained to a holiday that relies on them draining their pockets. Of course, feel free to buy gifts for whoever you choose, whenever you choose, but not because Kay Jewelers told you to… As society grows more aware of the money-grabbing undertones of holidays like Valentine’s Day, folks will fall further into their cynical awakenings, and “Big V-Day” might be a bit angry about it. Romance and rage against the machine, or whatever.

Women are Fed Up with Valentine’s Day in Pop Culture

Let’s now focus on the female perspective.

For countless years, women in the public eye have worked hard to take back the power so often taken from them by the patriarchy—for instance, Joan Jett and Stevie Nicks—and channel that into their art, especially music. More recently, women of the 21st century have songs like Lizzo’s “Truth Hurts” and Ariana Grande’s “Problem” to listen to when they’ve had enough of boys breaking their hearts. When these women are too sad to face themselves in the mirror and want to be done with romance. What do all of these women's anthems share? They touch on the importance of self-love, self-preservation, and saying “Nah, I’m good” to men who no longer serve their greater good. When ladies have anthems that support their decisions to go solo, more ladies will do so—and happily!

Though art is the catalyst for many trending philosophies and movements in pop culture, memes are just as influential (if not more given their accessibility).

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Much of the male population is sick of being blamed for being the reason why women are putting romance in the backseat and are living for themselves first and foremost. Whether the men do it consciously or subconsciously, the proof is in the pudding. There has to be a reason—reasons—why plethoras of women seek female-energy friendships and romantic relationships in (but not limited to) the 21st century. Women also seek friendships with gay men and LGBTQ+-identifying individuals because marginalized groups often pair very well together when they’re working toward a common goal: Equality. In fact, the “L” in LGBTQ+ starts with “L,” (for “lesbian”) because the queer community wanted to pay homage to lesbian healthcare workers who provided services to gay men during the HIV/AIDS epidemic when most healthcare workers would refuse service—proving women, once again, will always be there to support those they care about.

Women Tend to Feel Safer with Other Women, Truthfully 

This is a cultural commentary website, not a news outlet… but it’s undeniable that the U.S. social climate for women isn’t feelin’ too cozy, and hasn’t for a hot minute. Women took and continue to take to the streets to protest for their rights, for their daughters’ rights, and for their daughters’ daughters’ rights. There’s something to be said of a movement skewing so far on one side of the spectrum, teetering on misandry. Open up any newspaper, news site, or even Reddit and you’ll find some instances of questionable male-dominated behavior.

Tumultuous periods call for female union; they influence women to stick together with people they know are their allies and are in their corner. When thousands of women are choosing to be alone in the woods with a bear over a man, you know that there’s work to be done. It’s important to take these generalizations with a grain of salt, as “not all men” has become a retort in these types of discussions.

Even though women understand the seriousness of these matters as they have lived it, they’re also reclaiming their power through comedy.

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Women have to laugh at the irony of it all, don’t they? Many women wonder why men can’t just leave them alone…

Galentine’s Day: No Pressure, No Expectations, Just Girlhood and Feeling Safe

The term “Galentine’s Day” originated from the hit sitcom Parks and Recreation. Amy Pohler’s character, Leslie Knope, explains that Valentine’s Day is for celebrating romance, whereas Galentine’s Day (the day before Valentine’s Day) is for “celebrating lady friends.” The term has since been used year after year by ladies looking to celebrate girlhood in the best way they know how—this usually includes, but is not limited to, rosé, arts and crafts, and probably all of the Twilight movies.

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Female friendship, in some cases, is almost more difficult to attain than heterosexual relationships. Both women and men are taught to seek their life partner through the scope of romance, but there’s never an equal emphasis on the importance of platonic partnership. That’s why female friendships are so unique. From the beginning of time, women have congregated with one another and bonded over their triumphs and struggles, both completely entwined with their gender. To have someone who understands you and does not want anything from you aside from mutual understanding… Well, that’s special.

Ladies take to TikTok, Instagram, and the like to post videos of their extravagant, very “girly” Galentine’s Day celebrations… I’m just mad I didn't get an invitation.

Why spend the day with a boy who can leave you down in the dumps when you can celebrate girlhood with your best gal pals? Now, I know you and I aren’t blind… Galentine’s Day is dipping its toes into that same Valentine’s Day consumerism that so many individuals desperately want to escape. However, the difference between Galentine’s and Valentine’s is that one doesn't subscribe to outdated structures. For now, the best women can do is keep doing what they’re doing and remind themselves that Mr. Right doesn’t have to be a Mr. at all, but rather, a bestie (or themselves)!