At this time of year, the shops are adorned with pink hearts, teddies and chocolates for that “special someone”. But whatever your relationship status is on Valentines’ Day, we are here to remind you that your special someone doesn’t have to be a romantic partner. They could be your child, your sibling, your best friend, your pet or even you!

Why did we stop prioritising friendship?

As children we are encouraged to make friends. We are nudged in the direction of kids at the park and have play dates arranged for us by our parents to help us connect with others.

At school, friendship is everything: it’s a way of avoiding boredom during the school holidays and the support we need for managing all of life’s ups and downs especially, during those formative hormonal years.

Everything is friendship and then one day that stops and everything becomes about love.

The conversation shifts to finding ‘the one’, getting married and ‘living happily ever after’. People start seeking partners, your relationship status becomes your social status and everyone at the family gathering wants to know if you have a nice boyfriend or girlfriend yet.

However the older you get, the harder it is to make friends and one day you find yourself Googling ‘How to make friends at 37’.

We’re here to remind you that friendship is really important. In fact, it’s as essential as living a healthy lifestyle. In 2010, a study found that people with stronger social connections have a 50 percent increased likelihood of living longer and healthier lives than those with weaker social relationships.

What is Galentine’s Day?

Galentine’s takes place every year on 13 February but can be celebrated throughout the year. It’s a day for women to come together and celebrate their female friendships. An alternative is Palentine’s (a less gendered version that plays on the word pals and is inclusive of all friendships) so this day isn’t just for the ‘gals’.

Galentine’s Day was popularised by a 2010 episode of Parks and Recreations when one of the characters throws a Galentine’s party for her girlfriends. Since then, it’s slowly been gaining recognition.

3 ways to celebrate Galentine’s (or Palentine’s)

  1. Write a (platonic) love letter to a good friend. Share favourite memories of your friendship, include old photos, suggest or discuss upcoming plans and remind them of how important they are to you. If a letter feels alien, you could do this via email (or text) but a letter would definitely feel more special to receive.
  2. Schedule a date. Whether that’s watching your favourite films or an upcoming sports game, going to a gig or for a nice dinner. Depending on your friendship, you could even make it a candlelit dinner where you get dressed up and make an evening of it. Romance isn’t reserved for couples.
  3. Surprise them with a gift. It could be something small like chocolates or flowers. Or you could show how well you know them and buy them a book or video game you think they’d like. Anything that shows you have thought of them is likely to bring joy.

Are you celebrating Galentine’s Day this year? Or maybe Paletine’s? Let us know in the comments and what your plans are.

Benefits of friendship

Friendship has been shown to have a profound impact on our mental health and wellbeing. It reduces loneliness but can also combat stress and improve our confidence and self worth.

Having someone to talk to and process hard feelings with is important. Whether it’s grief, relationship issues or family drama, sometimes you need that person who just gets you and always has your back.

As well as the hard times, having someone who is rooting for you that you can share your joy and success with is invaluable. Friends can help motivate us to be the best versions of ourselves and provide us with much needed accountability.

Remember how you said you were going to start running again as it helped your anxiety? Well, your best friend is going to hold you to that.  They can also help push you out of your comfort zone and broaden your horizons.

While there are many benefits to friendship, the absence of them can have a negative impact on our health and wellbeing. Studies have shown that when it comes to friendships and mental health, men are struggling emotionally. Research carried out in the UK by the Movember Foundation in 2018 found that 27% of men said they had no close friends at all. This is likely to have increased since the pandemic so its more important than ever.

Whatever your plans are this Valentine’s period, love is not just for couples. Friendship and companionship is precious and deserves its own celebration!