Spring is here and in Austin, Texas the Bradford Pear trees and Mountain Laurels are blooming. They are beautiful, however, they are in bloom for almost two weeks, maybe a little longer. These flowering trees made me realize that out of 52 weeks, they are in bloom for 2 almost 3 weeks. Then I realized, my period is only here for 12 weeks out of the year. I know that when that week comes, it seems long and sometimes disastrous, but we have 40 weeks in a year to worry and feel that we have to change our lifestyle. I say no! 12 weeks out of the year, we should stop worrying and we need to continue with our normal everyday lives.
When I was a teenager I thought it was so difficult being on my period. I felt that I couldn’t talk about it and if I acted slightly sad, depressed, or just tired someone would make a rude comment. Now I’m seeing apps that help track your periods, and commercials that are speaking to women about the real issues that we face. Looking back, I can’t understand why I felt ashamed of being a woman. My body was doing what it should do. Why be embarrassed? It happens to half the population of the world. We should no longer be embarrassed and we should no longer make young girls ashamed.
I’ve seen and experienced so many changes in the perception of women being on their periods. As a high school teacher, my female students aren’t embarrassed to ask each other or teachers for help. And as women, we should help each other. We are on the same team trying to get through life happy and strong. The only way to do that is to support one another. They always say, “it takes a village,” well I say “it takes a team” and by supporting one another we are a strong team of women and nothing and no one can stop a team like that. Let’s continue to be there for all women, girls, and teenagers. We have 12 weeks that sometimes we are a little different, and let us be different. Let us eat potato chips and chocolate, cry at sappy commercials, and don’t expect us to plaster a fake smile across our face. Let us have our 12 weeks without judgment.
