This week, life was life-ing, as I often say about the many ebbs and flows of this rollercoaster called life. But, man, this particular week felt like I was stuck on a ride that I didn’t sign up for. If I had to describe it, I’d liken it to something really awful, but honestly, I’m drawing a blank because my brain is fried, dyed, and laid to the side, people! And let’s talk about why—drumroll—I got my period. Yup, that bitch Flo chose violence, and I was ill-prepared to counterattack. My defenses were down, I was wading in open water without a life preserver, and y’all, I cannot swim! 😩
Now, whoever thought it was a good idea for women to work during “that time of the month” clearly was a man, because we know the internal battle we face between ourselves and…well, ourselves. And let’s be real, that battle always ends in a draw. It’s like a tennis match where the ball just never stops bouncing back and forth. Am I making sense?! Probably not, because my hormones are running the show, and I’m just holding on for dear life.
I usually pride myself on being rational, a deep thinker, someone who considers all aspects before making a move. But this week? That all went out the window. I made countless missteps at work. And the worst part? I just wanted to crawl under the biggest rock I could find… but I didn’t find one! Cue the dramatic sigh. I complained, whined, and beat myself up, which made my anxiety go through the roof. Now, that’s out of the ordinary for me, since I’ve gotten so much better at managing it over the past year. But when my anxiety takes control, simple tasks suddenly become Herculean feats. Whether it’s writing a simple sentence or finding something that’s literally in front of me (hello, anxiety blindness), panic swoops in like Pennywise and just sits there like he owns the place. It’s a nightmare, folks.
But why was this period so overwhelmingly traumatic? Well, let’s be real—they happen every month for most of us. The thing is, I hadn’t had one since getting pregnant with Luca, my youngest and only son, who’s about to turn 2 years old in a few months. I breastfed him until just a few months ago, and during that time, I truly reveled in the gift of life without menstruation. It felt like a vacation—every month! So, when Flo came barging in like an uninvited guest, I was… unprepared, to say the least.
So, how did I survive this chaotic week of battling crimson floods, keeping up with a full-time job, and managing my family life all while staying sane-ish? Well, let me tell you how I got through it.
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1. Journaling
I’ve always been a fan of journaling, but during my hormonal meltdown, it became my lifeline. Writing down my thoughts helped me process everything from the overwhelming anxiety to the small victories I experienced (yes, I was still functioning, somehow). According to a study published in Psychological Science, journaling can help reduce stress and improve emotional regulation (Pennebaker, 1997). When you’re in the middle of a chaotic moment, getting your thoughts out on paper can serve as a mental reset.
2. Meditation
When my mind was spinning in a loop of stress and self-doubt, meditation became my go-to. Even if it was just five minutes of deep breathing, it helped me center myself. Research from Harvard Medical School shows that regular meditation can lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone, and help improve mood regulation (Zeidan et al., 2010). I won’t lie, at first it felt like a waste of time. But once I started, even brief moments of quiet helped me gain perspective and calm my nervous system.
3. Ibuprofen
Let’s be real, period cramps can be downright brutal. I’m not one to reach for painkillers unless absolutely necessary, but let me tell you, this week, Ibuprofen was my best friend. According to the Mayo Clinic, ibuprofen works by reducing the inflammation that causes pain, which made it an essential tool for managing the physical discomfort that came with my period (Mayo Clinic, 2022). I took it when I had to, and it helped me keep my focus on work and the kids instead of curling up into a ball on the couch.
4. Rest
As a mom, rest is usually at the bottom of my priority list. But this week, I was forced to take it seriously. I made sure to get extra sleep (as much as I could with a toddler) and took breaks when I could. According to the National Sleep Foundation, getting enough rest is crucial for managing both physical and emotional stress, especially during your period (National Sleep Foundation, 2021). I gave myself permission to nap when Luca napped, even if it meant putting off some household tasks. The rest helped me recharge and, surprisingly, made me feel more energized for the next round of chaos.
In Conclusion:
This week was a hot mess. But as I reflect on the chaos, I realize I survived it—just like I always do. With a little help from journaling, meditation, pain relief, and rest, I kept my head above water and managed to function through it all. And hey, that’s a win in my book!
To all the women out there navigating their period and the madness of daily life: you’re not alone. Whether it’s a bad day at work, a period that feels like it’s trying to take you down, or simply a chaotic family moment, we’ve got this. Keep pushing, keep surviving, and remember to be kind to yourself.
References:
- Pennebaker, J. W. (1997). Writing about emotional experiences as a therapeutic process. Psychological Science, 8(3), 162–166. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.1997.tb00403.x
- Zeidan, F., Johnson, S. K., Diamond, B. J., & David, Z. (2010). Mindfulness meditation improves cognition: Evidence of brief mental training. Consciousness and cognition, 19(2), 597-605. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.concog.2010.03.014
- Mayo Clinic. (2022). Ibuprofen. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/ibuprofen-oral-route/description/drg-20070040
- National Sleep Foundation. (2021). Sleep and Menstruation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/womens-health/sleep-and-menstruation
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