✩22 Let's Have a Serious Chat✩

 Hey All.

I know it's been a while since we chatted. But there's something that I feel the need to get off of my chest. It's been on my mind for a while but I finally got both the courage and the ability to say what I need to say.

I don't know how deeply involved people are in the Gal community or Gyaru itself. But with the boom of it gaining popularity again, it attracted a lot of newbies. A lot of them actually participating and becoming Baby Gals. A Baby Gal is not talking literally about age, it's more about getting into gal and learning the roots to become one. As one learns more, continuously strives to reach the next level, eventually they graduate from baby gal and move onto the next.

I'm super happy with more people becoming interested in Gyaru. I will gladly help out anyone that asks for it. Even if they are like many of us that started off with Himekaji, older gals should always look to help newbies find their niche. 

But apparently, this is not always the case.
And it's not just from one side of the spectrum either.

I don't really participate in any of the groups like on Discord or on FB. I randomly pop into the latter to see new topics or photos that I don't see on Twitter or Insta. And I'm happy to see a ton of babbies. But...there are also a ton posting photos not related to gal. Which can be usually their first few posts of trying to figure out the proper way of doing style, hair or makeup. Though there are some that regardless of direction, continue to do as they please.

However.

This does not give the excuse or go ahead for a veteran gal to become a bully or a gatekeeper.

As an older gal, basically anyone beyond baby gal, one should look to guide and provide concrit with the goal to be helping the gal along and letting them know if what they're doing is the right way or not. We should never go online just to badmouth anyone. I can understand you're annoyed and frustrated with how things are going. And it can be tiring to keep having to repeat yourself that "cosplay/lolita/decora/etc. is not gal". But there are enough of us that don't have to depend on a mod to say something is off. It doesn't cost anything to say something nicely or to be patient with others.

We all started somewhere. And I guarantee a ton of older gals, including myself, found gal through Lolita and/or some other alternative fashion. Back then, we didn't have many resources for knowledge. We had "Gyaru Secrets" and bullies going out of their way to make nasty comments to gals who posted their looks online. Today we have lolcow and people going on their own SNS saying worse now.

On top of all that, there were a few incidents that divided even longtime gals. 

Look, I get it. We're upset. 

But it's not gonna' cost you anything to just be a decent human being. If you're tired of newbies "not even trying" then tell them. Don't go elsewhere and talk badly about them. If they refuse to post gal, then warn them and remove them from the groups. And newbies, if you need help, be sure to ask. Many of us will actually help you with tutorials, videos and other resources. Don't be afraid of bullies and gatekeepers and let them prevent you from becoming a gal.

If I remained scared as I was when I was a beginner, I wouldn't be at the level I am today. I wouldn't even post anything online. But you know what? I knew that Gyaru is a big passion for me. And my passion means more than getting validation from people I will never meet. My passion makes me happy with my everyday life and my own self. 

If we are to grow as a community, then we need to work out issues and stick together more now than ever. 

Work hard, try everything and keep going.
Don't let anyone else stop you.

And for the bullies and gatekeepers out there:
Do better.

I know I will probably receive some hate for this but I'm at the point where I've had enough and I will no longer keep quiet. Gal already almost died once. I met so many amazing people because of Gyaru and I finally love myself. We need to talk about it. We need to do better. 

Thank you.

- Kieli