and so I wait.

why the heck do we even have a period??

No matter how advanced fertility awareness has become — we are unable to predict precisely when menstruation begins.

And so I wait.

There were times in my 20’s when this wait was excruciating. It was a literal come to Jesus moment of “what am I doing with my life?!”.

Women struggling to conceive or in the wake of a miscarriage — this wait has you holding your breath a little differently than my college days of silently praying to see red.

The women who choose not to have kids… the wait is a nuisance. A biological process you silently resent.

For those who can’t have anymore kids due to money or health struggles — it sucks having to wait.

Why the heck do we even get a period??

The scientific reason only causes pain or frustration. Can there be a deeper meaning for periods besides its reproductive purpose? That’s up to you, hunny.

Call me “too serious” or “woo woo” for wanting a deeper WHY for menstruation. But perhaps meaning can help lessen the angst & gives purpose to it all.

Women have silently suffered with periods for far too long.

Every month, we show up to work, pretending as though nothing is going on with our bodies. We speak up to doctors about our pains, and get dismissed. Our partners can only begin to imagine what it’s like to endure cramps & bleeding every month.

It doesn’t make it any better that menstrual products weren’t even tested with menstrual blood until last year. Oh, and those products are made with toxic metals. Just fantastic.

We’re pushed aside in medical research. At some point it was decided that women in their reproductive years are too complicated for science. Can’t we just get some damn acknowledgement & finally be HEARD?!

But how do we even begin to even change this? I’m no politician, scientist or culture changer. As much as I want mainstream science to treat me more fairly, I have no intention of creating a petition & campaigning.

I’m more of a “change starts with me” sort of gal.

Which is why I try to have a WHY for menstruation. It helps me become more accepting of this monthly process. The body is literally SHEDDING a uterine lining. Like what?!

Having a WHY for menstruation, besides reproduction, helps me feel more at peace with the whole experience. And maybe… just maybe!! … this inner state will begin to reflect in our outer reality & have a ripple effect with culture change.

Now, LISTEN. A period isn’t ALL spiritual woo woo shit.

I’m known to groan & complain about how irritating it is to have a period. Just visit my “Cycle Day 1: Raw Thoughts” blog for proof, lol.

Having a WHY makes “the wait” a little less annoying. It quells the physical pain a bit, too.

So if it helps you to think of menstruation as a time to let go… then try that.

If you like to reflect on what it’s like to be in snowy, cold winter… see if that helps.

If pulling tarot cards & journaling helps you wait… then you may just become as bat shit crazy as me! All in good fun, though.

Your cycle could be a container of spiritual connection & inner healing — if you let it. And you’re still allowed to be frustrated with your period, too. They can coexist 😉

Till next time,

Mary Nordahl