Mourning the Magic of Girlhood

Do you ever long for your childhood? I don’t often think about it, but a little family recently moved in next door, and their curious daughter – just at the cusp of girlhood – has sparked something within me. She’s yet to experience sleepovers and languid summer days spent sprawled on the carpet, watching cartoons before we even knew what “bingeing” was. In observing her, I feel a twinge of nostalgia for pinky promises, best friends, and dress-up games. Perhaps I’m mourning the magic of girlhood.

Girlhood is often draped in a dreamy haze, a time when the world feels like a playground, governed by adults. Yes, our biggest worries revolved around friendships and crushes – but it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Alongside the giggles and ice cream cones, we faced insecurities, the pressure to fit in, and the struggle to find our voices amidst a cacophony of expectations. It’s tempting to get stuck in the past, wistfully thinking, “If only I could relive those carefree days.” Yet mourning girlhood can feel like grasping at a balloon that’s just slipped from our fingers.

The Empowering Evolution of Womanhood

While it’s tempting to mourn what’s behind us, what lies ahead is just as incredible! This is where we really come into our own. Womanhood isn’t just an age; it’s a state of empowerment, a wild adventure where we get to write our own stories. The skills I cultivated as a girl – empathy, creativity, and loyalty – transform into my superpowers as a woman. Each challenge I encounter adds depth to my character, shaping me into a resilient, unstoppable force. Rather than viewing the end of girlhood as a loss, I see it as a launchpad into the remarkable life I’m destined to lead.

Embracing the Winds of Change

Change can be daunting, and being wholly responsible for your life even more so. But in leaving behind childhood, I didn’t lose my innocence; I simply gained wisdom, strength, and maybe a little too much self-assurance. Instead of clinging to girlhood like a security blanket, I want to embrace the vibrant tapestry of womanhood! This phase offers me a chance to redefine myself, explore my passions, and stand tall and certain in my truth.

I don’t have a large friend group, but there are five of us who are particularly close. Every Sunday, just before lunch, we gather at one of our homes. We’re all in our twenties, working at jobs we often enjoy, and some of us have dogs, while others are married or single. Some of us went to university together, and some did not. Once we’re settled on the sofa – with hard-backed chairs brought in from the kitchen and dishes washed, dried, and packed by the others – our conversations become animated and often emotional, filled with laughter.

In those moments, I see the best version of myself, feeling as carefree as I did at the age of six. But now, we are exactly who we want to be. We rarely adjourn before midnight, and we don’t need to sheepishly let a parent know or wait for them to pick us up. While the lore of girlhood still lingers, there’s undeniable beauty in womanhood.