Today is International Women’s Day: Messages, Rituals, and Tributes to Celebrate
We wake up and we can just feel it: today is International Women's Day. And it's not just another Sunday on the calendar, nah. It's one of those days where you stop, take a deep breath, and feel the weight and the lightness of being who you are. Whether you're in the suburbs or the city, the vibe is the same: how we look after ourselves, how we build each other up, and how we celebrate this day that is, above all, ours.
I’ve been thinking about my mates, the women in my whānau, and I got this real urge to do something special. But it doesn’t have to be a big production. Sometimes, a simple bit of self-care can totally shift your energy. And speaking of energy, have you noticed how feminine energy craves a connection to the earth, to water, to the sacred? Nothing beats a herbal bath to wash the soul and give your self-esteem a real boost.
Heartfelt Rituals We Do
If there’s one thing the older generations taught me, it’s that rituals are serious business. They don’t have to be complicated: it could be lighting a pink candle while repeating "I deserve, I can, I am." It could be preparing a bath with rose petals and rosemary, letting the water fall slowly and feeling every drop renew the strength that comes from within. Today, more than ever, we need these moments. And for those who connect with orixá energy, how about an Oxum bath to awaken sweetness and prosperity? Or one for Iansã to cut the ties that bind and move forward lightly? Trust me: the water washes away the weight and brings back your sparkle.
And it’s not just about baths. Writing down three of your best qualities on a piece of paper and sticking it on your mirror, or just having a solo dance party in your room to that song that makes you feel like a powerhouse – it all counts. What matters is the intention, the act of caring for ourselves. After all, a woman who looks after herself glows, and that good energy rubs off on everyone around her.
Words That Stay With You
I vividly remember a quote from Isabel Keats that fits perfectly today: "A woman's strength isn't in the armour she wears, but in the vulnerability she has the courage to show." That’s exactly it: we are strong precisely when we allow ourselves to feel, when we cry, when we hug, when we pick ourselves up and carry on. And Gisele Gama, who we admire so much, always speaks the truth: "Our story is written by us, in ink made of courage and the blood of a warrior." You can feel the power in that, right?
So, I’ve put together some message ideas for you to send to the special women in your life. Feel free to copy, adapt, and send them your own way:
- For your bestie: "Look at us, girl! So many battles, so many laughs, and here we are, stronger than ever. Today’s our day, and I’m so grateful to have you by my side. May we always keep supporting each other, lifting each other up, and shining together. Happy Women’s Day to us!"
- For your mum or nan: "You’re my rock, my safe harbour, my inspiration. Everything I am, I owe to you. I hope your day is as gentle, beautiful, and full of love as you have always been with me. Love you to the moon and back."
- For yourself (yes, write it down and read it out loud): "I look in the mirror and see a woman who has been through so much, who has cried in secret, laughed out loud, loved, made mistakes, and got things right. And yet, here I am, still standing, stronger, more beautiful, more me. Today, I celebrate myself, I honour myself, and I love myself."
Together, We Shine Brighter
You know the real deal? International Women’s Day is, above all, a reminder of just how incredible we are. We juggle a million things, look after everyone, fight for our place, and still find time to dream. But we don't have to do it all alone. When women support women, we create a chain reaction that can move the world. It’s the friend who listens, the neighbour who lends a hand, the stranger who catches your eye on the street and understands you without a single word.
Today, March 8, 2026, may we look at ourselves with kindness, draw strength from rituals, be moved by words, and most importantly, stand together. Because alone we go fast, but together we go far. May this feminine energy surround us, protect us, and inspire us today and always. Here’s to us, women!