“Maybe romantic love isn’t the forefront of your life right now, love exists in so many forms,” British singer and songwriter Oliva Dean suggests in an interview regarding the lyrics in her new single “I’ve Seen It.” Nowhere “is that idea more visible than in girlhood, where love is overlooked in small, casual aspects of life: sleepovers, getting ready together, deep conversations, and other bonding experiences. Yet these moments are far more than simple memories, they have layers and meaning. In the wake of Valentine’s Day, the pressure of having a significant other can be hard to ignore. While the excitement of a fun, new relationship seems appealing, girlhood offers a reminder that love is not limited to romance. It is a powerful foundation that promotes feminism, creates supportive environments, and teaches lessons that carry into adulthood. 

Olivia Dean has become especially relevant for listeners seeking feel-good music. Her debut in the music industry stands out because of her ability to romanticize life. Rather than centering her songs solely on romantic relationships, her writing expresses self love, friendships, and finding joy in ordinary moments. This broader perspective makes her music resonate with people whose lives aren’t centered around men, but on the strength of feminism. During an interview published by “W” Magazine she remarks, “I’ve only become more crystallized in the sense that romantic love isn’t the be-all and end-all of my life,” she says. “When you’re younger, you’re led to believe that it is, but I feel love in so many areas of my life.” Dean references her family for teaching her morals and shaping her into the powerful feminist she is today. “… you can be this independent, strong woman and still have love. I don’t think they’re mutually exclusive.” By redefining love as something that exists beyond romance, Dean encourages her listeners to have those empowered, feminine qualities while still valuing the many forms of connections that shape their lives. 

Girlhood is routine in our everyday lives. Dean’s lyric “The more you look, the more you find, it’s all around you all the time.” is special because it’s a simple way of saying we overlook the love we receive everyday from the people closest to us. I look for that feeling in the girls that surround me everyday: my teammates cheering me on for even my smallest victories, my closest girlfriends noticing the little things that make me smile, or that extra 10 minutes my mom takes out of her morning to make my breakfast just right. It’s in these ordinary yet meaningful moments that I realize girlhood is not just a phase, it’s a lifestyle that I will forever cherish. So, don’t take for granted spending mornings before school chatting with friends, drinking fun little drinks, and walking in together. Girlhood makes life feel less serious. Though, I think what’s so important about it all is the lessons that stick with us. Looking back, I realize how those moments shaped me. Those fond memories with your girls back in high school taught you the importance of living in the moment, the smile your sister carries with her everyday taught you to live with your glass half full, and the deep words you shared with your mom reminded you how important it is to check on the people that love you the most. 

Sure, planning a weekend getaway with your Valentine or getting a hundred roses delivered to your doorstep might feel like a dream. But honestly, nothing hits quite like a weekend with your girls, laughing until your stomach hurts, purchasing that new top your best friend insists you need, dancing around the kitchen just because. Girlhood is alive in these moments. It’s the kind of love that sticks around, even when no one is sending you roses. It’s been here all along, quietly keeping us going – just like Olivia Dean sings.