A Letter to My Period
Dear Period,
Every month, you show up without fail. Sometimes late, sometimes early, but always bringing mood swings, cramps, cravings, and chaos. You don't knock. You don't check if it's a good time. You just arrive. At least you usually send a warning: a little lower back pain, maybe a bad skin day, the sudden urge to eat an entire bar of chocolate. I've learned to read the signs.
I sometimes resent you. You have interrupted my life like you had no sense of timing. You have shown up in the middle of class, on family vacations, during sleepovers, at swim practice, even during AP exams. And you never apologize. You make me feel tired, irritable, bloated, and out of control, leading me to hate myself where you are here.
I still remember the first time you showed up. I was confused and caught off guard. I knew about you, but I didn't realize how much you would destroy my life.
But I've learned to live with you. You've taught me to listen to my body and be patient with it, to take care of it when it's asking for rest. You've taught me to be prepared, to carry pads in every bag (and extras for friends), and to look out for others who might not have access to what they need. You've made me stronger and more aware of the world we live in.
Your presence is a shared experience, a quiet bond between so many of us. I've laughed and cried about you with friends, shared supplies in school bathrooms, and worked to make sure you don't prevent other people from getting an education and pursuing their dreams. And honestly, that part feels kind of powerful.
Still, there's a lot about you I wish I could change. I wish you didn't bring so much pain. I wish you didn't come with a side of stigma. I wish no one ever had to choose between buying your products or buying a meal. I wish every bathroom had what we need when you show up, and not just those cheap products that feel uncomfortable and can barely hold any blood, but real, good-quality products that actually support people. And I wish that talking about you wasn't seen as taboo, gross, or too much information.
You're not always easy to live with, but I'm no longer held back by you. You have actually helped me build a strong community and connect with myself and so many people around me. Even though I'll probably keep dreading you a little each month, I won't deny that you've shaped me in ways I'm proud of.
Maybe, just consider ditching the cramps or mood swings once in a while.
With mixed feelings,
Me