Rabat – How beautiful it is to be a girl, with all the glow, grace, and carefully chosen outfits. Yet behind the scenes there’s a quiet effort, a series of rituals, and a kind of endurance we rarely talk about.

For many, being a girl means having a whole routine, one that asks for time, tolerance, and a little bravery. But the outcome is worth it: all of this to make us feel glowy, cozy, confident, and a little more like ourselves.

Hair care: blow-drying, straightening, all the above 

The first test of commitment often comes with heat. Not metaphorical heat – actual heat. The kind that blows directly onto your forehead while one hand holds a brush and the other negotiates with a hair dryer that feels like it’s powered by the sun.

We endure it for the sake of good hair, standing there longer than we planned, switching arms when they get tired, promising ourselves it’ll be worth it. And after all of that? For some it’s meticulous straightening – running the hot iron through our hair again and again hoping we don’t fry the ends too much.  

But guess what? The moment we see the final result, we forget every second of the struggle. Five minutes later, we’re already taking pictures like none of that ever happened.

And this is without even talking about curly hair styling: too many steps, too many products, and way too much waiting. We always pray that our curls turn out just the way we want this time, because honestly, it’s never guaranteed. 

The irony? We do it all over again, even if it didn’t work last time. And that, right there, is simply being a girl.

Read also: Why Do People Judge Mothers More Than Fathers?

Waxing

If heat was the first test, waxing is the next level. One moment you’re brave, the next you’re questioning every life choice that led to this strip of wax.

Part of the  process is counting down the seconds and wondering why we keep doing this to ourselves. But somehow, we survive it, laugh about it, and move on, because that’s just the cost of being a girl. 

While waxing, we tell ourselves, “I’m never doing this again,” yet weeks later, we’re back at it: girlhood at its core.

Period Cramps

When talking about the pain girls endure for their beauty, self-care, and wellbeing, I couldn’t resist talking about another kind of pain – period cramps.

This is the highest level of pain we experience every month. But unlike the others, this isn’t something we choose; it’s something that just happens, whether we’re ready for it or not. 

It’s the ultimate reminder that being a girl sometimes means enduring discomfort we didn’t sign up for – and still showing up, looking presentable, and carrying on as if nothing is going on under the surface. 

Not to mention the hormonal whirlwind that messes with our heads. Wanting everything and nothing at the same time, crying for no reason, and laughing at the same moment.

Yet, despite all of this, we somehow pretend like nothing’s happening. We carry on with our responsibilities as usual, smiling, while quietly suffering from the inside out. And this is just a tiny glimpse of the chaos that only comes once a month – or most of the month to be precise.

And yet, despite all the heat, the wax, the cramps, and the chaos, we cherish it. The little rituals, the messy routines, the moments of triumph when everything comes together just right.

Because being a girl is simply loving every bit of it