Let’s talk about blood.

Unfortunately I grew up feeling like having my period was a nuisance, something that I couldn’t wait to get over-with each month. Tampons were a necessary evil that disgusted me. And my period was a time each month when self-care and self-love went out the window.

Now I welcome it, and use the first few days as an invitation to slow down, do less, and tune in to my body more. Since switching to a menstrual cup, I feel even more connected, intrigued and grateful for my cycle.

Like with any experience in life, we can look at it as happening TO us or FOR us. I am grateful for the intelligence of my body. My body is much more intelligent than I am. 🧠

Both Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine look at the period as an indicator of overall health, and believe that the amount of stress one experiences (or one’s partner experiences) in the month leading to menstruation often shows itself in the pain or heaviness of flow.

This also means a naturally pain-free period is possible, even though it’s not common. How empowering is that?!

Many traditions consider menstrual blood sacred. It’s the only blood that doesn’t clot like the rest of our body.

The monthly cycle in most women syncs up with the Moon with most women (naturally) starting their cycle around the New Moon and ovulating during the Full Moon. 🌚Occasionally it’s the opposite. 🌝 That’s some magic right there!

If you don’t or no longer bleed, you still experience monthly cycles of sorts. You may feel your energy wax and wane with the Moon’s phases, which affect most animals, the weather and the tides here on Earth.

There’s a lot of information about menstruation out there, and I am not a doctor. My hope is that we - the collective “we” of women, men, all relations - can normalize talking about menstruation, the monthly cycle and blood.

It’s not a dirty word. It’s the body. So let’s talk about it. For our own sake, and for our daughters.

Remember, nothing is forever. Enjoy the season of life!