What it REALLY Means to be a ‘Girls Girl’

By: Avigail Feldman

"Girl's girl" is a term that's gained a lot of popularity on TikTok in the past year, but what does it actually mean? As I've been reflecting on the end of the school year with summer right around the corner, it dawned on me that I've been fortunate enough to have incredibly strong female friendships - it's something I genuinely invest time and energy into. But what these great friendships have shown me is that I can discern fake friends pretty easily. So when this trend, or rather criticism for not embodying a ‘girls girl’ persona became a topic of interest among Gen-Z, it got me wondering if I truly embody that spirit and if my friends do as well...

Have Each Others Backs

Being a ‘girls girl’ ultimately relies on trust. Without trust, what's the point? Reflecting on my longest friendship with my ultimate best friend, I would never doubt that we have each other's backs. If someone said something mean about me to her behind my back, I have not a single doubt she wouldn't jump to my defense. Being there for one another is crucial; I cannot stress this enough. Seriously, realizing that friendships I believed would last, only to discover they were filled with mean girls, is a brutal discovery and a massive betralyal. Don’t be that girl and talk badly about your friends to other people - it's just not cool.

Don't be Afraid to Tell the Truth

How can you even claim to be a ‘girls girl’ if you're not willing to be honest? Seriously, what kind of friendship is that if you're not opening up and being real with each other? Being a 'girls girl' isn't just about putting on a supportive face to seem like you’re a good friend. You have to have the guts to spill the truth, even if it stings like crazy in the moment. It's about having those tough conversations, calling each other out when needed, and pushing each other to be the best versions of yourselves. After all, true friendship isn't always about being nice; it's about being real.

Have a Shoulder to Cry On

Be there with an open ear and be ready to oer a shoulder to cry on. Being a ‘girls girl’ means being available to provide support and an open mind. If I were to define what a ‘girls girl’ is, I would definitely highlight listening to our friends as a key aspect of the role. The countless late-night phone calls or moments spent crying with my friends are when I realize they truly are the best, willing to set aside their own feelings to help me navigate mine.

Sisters Before Misters

I really hope this is a given, but please don’t let a guy come first in a friendship. This is so common and can often happen without realizing it, but to be a ‘girls girl’ is to know you are there for your friend no matter what. Your girlfriends are the ones who have been there through thick and thin, supporting you through the highs and lows. They've laughed with you, cried with you, and shared countless memories. So, when it comes down to it, prioritize those sisterly bonds over fleeting romantic interests.

Be a Cheerleader

Every opportunity you get, you should be hyping up your friends and celebrating each other's successes. Whether it's a FaceTime call after acing an exam or being her cheerleader even when she's not in the room, always show your support, even if you're not physically present. After all, being a ‘girls girl’ means being there for your friends in every way possible.

With all this in mind, I encourage you to reassess those relationships that have sparked doubt. Ask yourself and your friend: do we truly embody what it means to be a girl's girl? If not, perhaps it's time to take a step back and redirect our energies. As I continue to learn in adulthood, I've realized that quality in friendships far outweighs quantity. It's better to have a few genuine connections than a multitude of superficial ones.