Cycles of Change: What 15 Years of Periods Taught Me About Power, Movement, and Self-Acceptance

This spring marks a significant milestone in my life - 15 years since I got my first period. My "period birthday" falls on March 20th, which happens to be my brother's birthday too (talk about stealing someone's thunder!). Looking back over these years, I can't help but reflect on how my relationship with my cycle has evolved from confusion and embarrassment to understanding and empowerment.

The Beginning: Confusion and Secrecy

I was 11 when I first saw those spots of blood. Despite my mom having talked to me about periods, nothing quite prepares you for the moment it actually happens. I remember the mix of panic and pride - panic because my body was doing something new and a little scary, pride because I was "growing up."

Back then, I didn't have brands like RedDrop creating properly-sized products for my tween body. Instead, I used bulky pads that felt like diapers, making me self-conscious that everyone could see them through my clothes. I wore dark bottoms constantly and lived in fear of leaks.

The Teen Years: Frustration and Discovery

Through my teens, my period was often heavy and painful. I struggled with those infamous chocolate cravings (now I know my body was seeking magnesium!) and mood swings that made me feel like I was riding an emotional rollercoaster.

One of my biggest challenges was sports. As a high school athlete, period days were particularly difficult - changing pads in locker rooms, worrying about leaks during practice, and pushing through cramps during games. I remember sitting out during swim practice because I was too afraid to use tampons. No one had really taught me how to navigate athletics while bleeding.

But these years were also about discovery. I learned what remedies worked for my body - wool socks and heating pads became my best friends during cramp days. I discovered that tracking my cycle helped me prepare and feel more in control. Most importantly, I found my voice to ask for what I needed during my period without shame.

Learning to Move With My Cycle

One of the biggest challenges—and eventually triumphs—in my period journey was learning how to exercise throughout my cycle. In the beginning, I'd push myself equally hard every day, not understanding why some workouts left me depleted while others energized me.

Through trial and error, I discovered that my body needed different types of movement depending on where I was in my cycle. During my period, gentle yoga and walking became my go-to, honoring my body's need to slow down and restore. In my follicular phase, I could gradually build intensity with strength training. By ovulation, I felt unstoppable—ready for high-intensity workouts and personal records. Then as I entered the luteal phase, I learned to scale back again, focusing on moderate cardio and flexibility.

This cyclical approach to fitness completely transformed my relationship with exercise. Instead of fighting against my body's natural rhythms, I worked with them. The result? Better performance, faster recovery, and a much healthier relationship with my body.

Embracing Body Fluctuations

Perhaps the hardest lesson was learning that monthly body fluctuations are normal and natural. No one told me that gaining 3-5 pounds of water weight before my period was perfectly normal. I'd beat myself up about bloating, wondering why my favorite jeans fit one week but not the next.

I remember the moment I started tracking these changes and noticed the pattern—how my face would get slightly fuller, how my rings would feel tighter, how my stomach would round out during my luteal phase, only to shift back after my period started. This wasn't a flaw—it was my body's brilliant dance with hormones.

Learning to accept these fluctuations freed me from so much self-criticism. Now I have different "phase clothes" that accommodate my body's natural changes. I've stopped apologizing for my body taking up more space at certain times of the month. Most importantly, I've stopped seeing these changes as something to overcome and instead recognize them as signs my body is working exactly as it should.

The Turning Point: Understanding My Cycle

In my early twenties, I began truly understanding my cycle as more than just "period days" and "non-period days." Learning about the four phases - menstrual, follicular, ovulation, and luteal - was revolutionary. I started noticing how my energy, creativity, and even my work performance shifted throughout my cycle.

I discovered that my body wasn't broken or inconvenient - it was giving me valuable signals about my overall health. Tracking patterns helped me realize when something was off, like when stress delayed my period or when dietary changes affected my flow.

Where I Am Today: Wisdom and Integration

Now, 15 years into this journey, my relationship with my period has transformed completely. I've learned to work with my cycle instead of against it. I plan important presentations during my follicular phase when my energy is highest, save creative projects for my ovulation phase when my brain feels most innovative, and protect space for rest during my menstrual phase.

Those early chocolate cravings? I now understand them as my body's way of asking for magnesium, and I proactively incorporate magnesium-rich foods throughout my cycle.

The cramps that once had me curled up in bed? I've developed a personal toolkit of remedies - from specific movement practices to herbal teas to my trusty heating pad. While they haven't disappeared completely, I've learned to manage them much more effectively.

What I Wish I Could Tell My Younger Self

If I could go back and talk to 11-year-old me on that first period day, here's what I'd say:

- Your period isn't something to hide or be embarrassed about - it's a powerful indicator of your health

- Learn to track your cycle early - it will give you insights and control you never imagined

- Find period products that actually fit your body - you deserve comfort and confidence

- Build a community of period-positive friends who can share experiences and support

- Pay attention to what your body is telling you through cravings and symptoms

- Don't fight your body's natural rhythms - in fitness, energy, or appearance

- Your body changing throughout the month isn't a flaw - it's biology working as designed

Looking Forward

As I move into my next 15 years of menstruation, I'm grateful for how far I've come. I'm passionate about helping the next generation of girls start their journey with better information, better products, and less shame than I had.

That's why I'm so proud to be part of RedDrop's mission. Every time we help a tween find properly-sized period products or help a parent have an empowering conversation about periods with their child, we're changing the narrative.

Here's to 15 years of growth, learning, and flow - and to all the girls just beginning their period journey today. Trust me, it gets better, and there's wisdom to be found in every cycle.