LIFE

Mark your calendars, girls—October 11 (today!) is International Day of the Girl, and we’re here to make sure you celebrate in style. Whether you’re crushing it at school, standing up for what you believe in, or simply embracing the awesomeness that is you, here’s our ultimate girlhood checklist. Let’s dive into 13 empowering ways to get into your girlpower and conquer the world!

1. Write a letter to your future self. Don't forget to tell her about all your current obsessions/secret hopes/inside jokes so she can appreciate just how far you've come.

2. Screen a Greta Gerwig movie. Barbie to bring the laughs, Little Women for the warm fuzzies and Lady Bird when you're in need of a good job sesh.

@ellhoran

3. Go full girlboss. Cold email that org you've always wanted to intern for or grab a bite with your mom's friend who has your dream job.

4. Get ready alongside your BFF. Swapping goss while doing each other's eyeshadow? There's nothing better.

5. Compliment that gal you always see at the coffee shop. You'd be surprised how much "I love your outfit" can make someone's day.

@ashleebock

6. Create a vision board. Manifesting your big dreams starts with visualizing them—using gel pans, washi tape and colorful stickers, ofc.

7. Tackle a physical challenge. Take a hilly hike, perfect that tree pose or throw a football "like a girl."

@kaitlynnkeen

8. Watch a TED Talk by a powerful woman. The one we always come back to? Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "We Should All Be Feminists" (watch it here!). 

9. Craft something. Who doesn't love stepping back from a watercolor painting, pinch pot or Pinterest-worthy scrapbook page and thinking: Yup, I made that.

10. Dress to impress your younger self. If that means rocking mismatching patterns, a tutu skirt and bubble braids with bows, so be it. If people stare, give 'em a twirl.

11. Make a GRLPWR playlist feat. everything from Disney Channel to throwbacks to Beyoncé. Who run the world?

@lilychee

12. Give back. Volunteer at your local women's shelter, sign up for a peer-mentoring program or donate a cut of your babysitting funds to the charity of your choice.

13. Say thanks to a woman who inspires you. Shoutout to the strong mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmas, teachers and coaches everywhere who paved the way for us to shine.

At GL, every day is for the girls. Check out more reads here:
💕 5 sappy shows and movies for your coming-of-age era
💕 EXCLUSIVE! Actress and producer Julia Garcia makes movie magic look easy
💕 We're already *obsessed* with Jenna Raine and Avery Anna's new collab

Hey, girl! Just wanted to let you know that this story originally ran in our October/November 2024 issue. Want more? Read the print mag for free *today* when you click HERE.

Top and slider image: @jadynmarieharger
Formatted for web by Maggie Zhang.

by GL | 10/11/2024