Your Best Girlfriend Just Might Be Your Soulmate
I met my best friend when I was 11 years old, and what I loved most she had such much soul.
Okay, seriously, the way Common personified hip hop and made H.E.R. his mirror, his heart, his rhythm, his soulmate, I could undeniably relate because I had my own her, without the beats and the rhymes, but heart and soul nonetheless. It'd take me years to realize just how or why, it'd take me years to realize that my best friend exemplified my true soulmate.
In fact, it was last month while I was attending her wedding and acting as a maid of honor when the realization really hit me. I cried tears of joy as I delivered my toast to her because her husband-to-be loved her the way she deserved to be loved, like I loved her. The love I have for her is so deep that it has endured 14 years, so immense it's stood the test of distance as I lived in one country and her in another. We went from talking everyday to every now and then, but the love and our friendship was resilient. And to think, I used to naively believe female friendships were drama-ridden and not good for the soul.
Thankfully I am a recovered from that old misguided sentiment and have amazing women in my life that pulled me away from that point of view, including her. There's true value in women befriending women: they unequivocally and unabashedly know you, your struggles, your emotions, etc. A best friend pronounces that even further. I find myself in her.
I think that when we think about soulmates, it's a missing piece told from the perspective of a romantic relationship. I don't believe that it stops there though. Regarding the topic of soulmates, Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert says:
“People think a soulmate is a perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soulmate is a mirror, the person who shows everything that's holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soulmate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake."
We spend our lives on the pursuit of our better halves, unaware that soulmates come in more forms than just romantic. Below are four reasons your best friend might be all the soulmate you need in life:
She Calms You
The wrong person, the wrong relationship, the wrong friendship can bring out every insecurity you have and make them appear louder and louder, heavier and heavier until you can't bear the weight anymore and it crushes you completely. You feel small and insignificant. The right relationship does the exact opposite of that. You're big, important, valuable – all of the things we are taught while we're young, but emphasized even further by the joy the company you keep brings. That's often the case for soulmates and in this case, your best friend. As the result of being in something so healthy as the thriving friendship and amazing bond you and your best friend share, you're safe to be a comfortable and confident you. The friendship radiates a calamity and thus, so do you.
She Mirrors You
What is significant about a mirror? A mirror does not lie. It shows you exactly who you are, flaws and all, and makes no apologies for it. Perfection is not the point of a mirror, imperfections are. Your best friend and soulmate have that in common. They don't point out your flaws as a means to ridicule you, but instead they raise you up and influence you to embrace those aspects of you because they are what make you who you are. While acting as a mirror for you, you do the same for her, both of you share an unconditional love for one another where you accept the good and bad aspects of each other.
She Connects With You
Ever meet someone who just “gets" you? Well you've felt that way about your best friend ever since you met her. She likes the same obscure bands and films as you, listens to the same ratchet music, finishes your sentences, and understands your quirks. The things about you that might make you look weird or crazy to other people, she just gets. Sometimes it takes years, but almost always with a soulmate, it feels instant, easy, and permanent. It's like you've known each other all of your lives when in fact, it's only been years. And although life might have you apart from each other at times, it's almost as though your friendship is not dictated by time.
She Challenges You
A lot of people believe that soulmate means relentless ease. Like any relationship involving two people, there will be ups and downs. A telltale sign that it is a soulmate you're dealing with is that in the face of those challenges, you strengthen oppose to breaking. Through such permanence and stability, you share comfort in knowing that even when times get hard, there is no threat to the demise of the friendship as you work to find yourselves individually while still having each other. She's not a “yes" woman and isn't afraid to put you in your place or check you when you need to be checked. You can also talk about controversial subject matter, discussing topics in a mature way in which you seek to understand versus seeking to be right. With hardships and difficult interactions that often take place in relationships, soulmates bring forth necessary life lessons and therein lays the true value of the friendship.
Is your best friend one of your soulmates? What are some things that solidify that for you? Share with me about who your best friend is and why below!
Featured image by Getty Images
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ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Curate The Vibes With These Black-Owned Candles For Every Mood
Black women of the 90s and early 2000s had incense, and Black women of today are fully embracing our luxury candle era. Candles have become just as important as our perfume selections, and as a luxury candle connoisseur, I keep all of my favorites in stock in my storage closet.
Whether you’re moving out for the first time and want to try new scents or looking to set the mood for a self-care day or sexy evening, consider these Black-owned candle brands to curate the vibe you’re looking for.
If You’re Feeling Bad & Bougie
The Original Candle
If you’re the bougie friend of the group, this candle is for you. Hanifa has become a staple luxury brand; with celebs like Tracee Ellis Ross, Jennifer Hudson, Naomi Campbell, and Danielle Brooks seen in her designs, they have become everyone's favorite brand. They recently launched their first candle, The Original. The candle is infused with notes of mandarin, orange blossom, caramel, sandalwood, jasmine sambac, and vanilla.
When Wash Day Comes...
"Wash Day" Candle
Cavo
Need some inspiration to get up and section that hair so you can get to washing? Not to worry. This pineapple, mango coconut milk, and sugar candle will have your house smelling as good as your favorite conditioner.
Wellness Girl Necessity
Sunday in Brooklyn Candle
If you’re a girl who loves clean scents that clear the energy in your home and feel like the best Sunday you ever had, you need this candle. Infused with wild basil and lemongrass, it’s guaranteed to help you find your zen.
For Sunday Brunch If You’re Hosting
Champagne Showers
Champagne Showers is the perfect candle for a birthday celebration, Sunday brunch night in, or toast to your next big win! The candle includes a blend of bright bergamot, peach fizz, and creamy woods. It’s a bubbly fragrance that’s as sophisticated as our girl, Jackie Aina.
After You Listen To SZA
"After A Good Cry" Candle
Cavo
Let the tears flow, and let the healing begin. This rainwater, lavender, vanilla, and bean and bourbon candle is just what the doctor ordered if you’re getting over a breakup. But once you’re done crying, just remember you're worthy of much more, okay?
For The Lover Girl Era
"Love" Luxury Candle
If you’re done crying and have found the one you’ve been waiting for, let this candle burn as warm as your love for your new boo. Harlem Candle Co.'s "Love" fragrance represents a dramatic, romantic theme with both masculine and feminine accords melding beautifully together, infused with crisp apple and watery green notes.
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Featured image by Maskot/Getty Images