Valentine's Day has become well-established in Japan as a day to express love to partners and loved ones.
Meanwhile, in recent years, a new culture has been gaining attention overseas
as a "way to spend February that can't be fully explained by Valentine's Day alone."
That is Galentine’s Day.
Especially recently,
Galentine's Day x Wellness has been gaining traction
and is becoming established as something that expands the context of Valentine's Day.
What is Galentine's Day?
Galentine's Day is a culture that spread mainly in the United States
as a day for female friends (Gals) to celebrate their friendship on February 13th (the day before Valentine's Day).
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Gal = Female friend
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The day before Valentine's Day
In other words,
it's a day to celebrate relationships between women, separate from Valentine's Day for lovers.
Initially, it focused on brunches and casual gift exchanges, but
now
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Time spent with female friends
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Time for self-care
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Time for sharing values
are becoming increasingly important.
Why is Galentine's Day gaining attention now?
① The values of Valentine's Day are "expanding"
It's important to note here that Galentine's Day does not negate Valentine's Day.
What is happening now is a shift
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from Valentine's Day = only for lovers
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to lovers,
-
friends,
-
and oneself,
meaning
there are more options for who to direct one's feelings towards.
Galentine's Day
is naturally accepted as one of those options.
② Affinity with self-love and self-care culture
In the context of Galentine's Day,
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Self-love
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Self-care
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Wellness
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Slow living
are commonly used keywords.
This reflects a shift in values where
taking care of oneself is affirmed just as much as expressing feelings to others.
This reflects a shift in values.
Reasons why Galentine's Day x Wellness is spreading overseas
In recent years, overseas,
the way Galentine's Day is spent has evolved into an experiential one.
Examples of what is actually done overseas
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Galentine’s Pilates Class
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Galentine’s Yoga & Brunch
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Women-only wellness events
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Self-care nights incorporating stretching and meditation
What they all have in common is:
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Being able to spend time comfortably with other women
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High aesthetic awareness
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Photogenic
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Can be brought back to daily life
The point is that
The emphasis is on experiences that connect to one's lifestyle, not just one-day events.
: Scenes from the Flower x Pilates event hosted by MYRÓA
How "Choosing Gifts" is Changing with Valentine's Day and Galentine's Day
With the spread of Galentine's Day,
there has been a change in the way gifts are considered.
Traditional Valentine's Day gifts
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Chocolate
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Sweets
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Symbolic gifts of affection
These still remain important elements of Valentine's Day.
Another option has been added.
Meanwhile, in recent years,
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Gifts for female friends
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Rewards for oneself
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Items that can be used continuously in daily life
More and more people are choosing wellness items.
In other words, Valentine's Day now is slowly being updated
into a day to not only express feelings, but also to give gifts that include how to spend the time afterward.
It is slowly being updated.
Is Galentine's Day x Wellness a good fit for Japan too?
In Japan, too,
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Pilates and yoga culture
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Balance of health and beauty consciousness
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A lifestyle that doesn't overdo it
are spreading,
making Galentine's Day x Wellness a theme that fits naturally.
Especially for:
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Wellness brands
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Pilates and yoga studios
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Women with a high sense of lifestyle
it is a culture that can be easily utilized as a new proposal to complement Valentine's Day.
Galentine’s Day × Wellness, even in daily life.
The reason why Galentine's Day x Wellness is supported is that it doesn't end with just one special day.
For your lover.
For your friends.
And, for yourself.
The essence of this culture is being able to bring the time of beautiful self-care into daily life.
MYRÓA proposes items for incorporating Pilates and yoga into daily life, based on the concept of "exercise habits that blend into your lifestyle."
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Designs that naturally blend into the space
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Comfort that is apparent the moment you touch them
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Usability that makes you want to keep using them
As a Valentine's Day gift,
or as a Galentine's Day present.
This February,
in addition to chocolates,
why not consider the option of "a habit of beautiful self-care"?
▶ View MYRÓA items selected for Valentine's Day and Galentine's Day
▶ MYRÓA Official Online Store here
