Blog Post:
Periods. Menstruation. That time of the month. Whatever you want to call it, it’s something that all women experience. And yet, despite it being a natural and normal part of our bodies, there is still a great deal of stigma and taboo surrounding periods. This is something that I have personally experienced and struggled with for years. But after discovering the joy of journaling, I decided to embark on a journey of honesty and rawness by keeping a period diary. And let me tell you, it has been one of the most empowering and eye-opening experiences of my life.
Growing up, I was taught to be discreet and secretive about my period. It was seen as a private matter that should not be discussed or acknowledged. This only added to the shame and embarrassment I felt whenever I got my period. I would hide my tampons and pads in my backpack, sneak off to the bathroom to change them, and avoid any conversations about periods. This mentality continued well into my adulthood, until I stumbled upon an article about journaling and its benefits for mental health.
As someone who has always struggled with anxiety and self-esteem issues, I was desperate to try anything that could help me feel more in control of my emotions. So, I bought myself a beautiful journal and started writing down my thoughts and feelings every day. It was during this time that I got my period and decided to include it in my daily journaling.
At first, I was hesitant and felt a bit silly writing about my period in such detail. But as the days went by, I realized that it was incredibly therapeutic. I could finally express my frustrations, insecurities, and physical symptoms without fear of judgment or shame. It was a safe space where I could be completely honest and raw about my experience. And slowly but surely, I started to break down the walls of stigma and shame that I had built around my period.
Honest and Raw: My Period Diary Journey
As I continued to journal about my period each month, I noticed a shift in my mindset. Instead of dreading my period, I started to embrace it as a natural and beautiful part of being a woman. I also began to pay more attention to my body and its needs during this time. I would write about my cravings, my energy levels, and any physical discomfort I was feeling. This helped me to better understand my menstrual cycle and how it affects me both physically and emotionally.
But perhaps the most profound impact that keeping a period diary had on me was the connection I felt with other women. I started to share my experiences and thoughts about my period with my close friends, and to my surprise, they were also struggling with the same issues. We would laugh, cry, and commiserate over our shared experiences. It was a beautiful and empowering feeling to know that I was not alone in this journey.
Through my period diary, I also discovered the importance of self-care during my period. I started to incorporate activities like meditation, gentle yoga, and hot baths into my routine to help ease my physical and emotional symptoms. I also made sure to prioritize rest and relaxation, rather than pushing myself to keep up with my usual busy schedule. And let me tell you, it made a world of difference. My period went from being a dreaded and painful experience to a time of self-care and reflection.
Now, as I continue to journal about my period each month, I have come to embrace it as a part of my identity. I am no longer ashamed or embarrassed about it, and I am proud to openly talk about it with others. In fact, I have even started a period diary Instagram account where I share my experiences and connect with other women who are on a similar journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
Keeping a period diary has truly been a life-changing experience for me. It has helped me to break down societal barriers and embrace my body and its natural functions. I no longer see my period as a burden, but rather a beautiful and essential part of my womanhood. And I encourage all women to give it a try, because the journey of honesty and rawness is truly a transformative one.
In summary, keeping a period diary has been a powerful and transformative experience for me. By journaling about my period each month, I have been able to break down societal barriers and embrace my body and its natural functions. It has helped me to understand and connect with my body on a deeper level, and to prioritize self-care during this time. Most importantly, it has allowed me to break free from the shame and stigma surrounding periods and embrace them as a beautiful and essential part of being a woman.