Periods. They mark the end of a sentence and end of a cycle, but the beginning of something else. Many consider menstruation to be the rise to womanhood. It’s like Mother Nature’s little gift to welcome us to the very exclusive coven. Or it’s more like your pituitary gland saying, “Congratulations, here’s the lining of your uterus! Pretend it’s confetti!”(Actually, don’t do that.)
However, making this event the initiation into womanhood leaves out a portion of the population who are late bloomers. A girl’s march into the unknown land of menstruation is not the same as the girl who is left behind everyone else.
Periods are not the be-all, end-all of womanhood. Yes, you are a girl when you’re born, but you are also a woman. You are born with all of the eggs you will ever have, and when they’re ready, they’ll take their little journey through the Fallopian tubes and the uterus. But that does not mean that you are any less than your friends who got their periods long before you.
That also means that the anxiety you feel is completely valid. It’s okay you haven’t gotten your period. Need a little pick-me-up? Here are all the things that you don’t have to do that everyone else does.
1. Not Worry About Having a Pad or Tampon on You All the Time
Sometimes periods surprise us and we’re not always adequately prepared. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with having to ask a friend, but if it’s not something you’re worrying about yet, you don’t need to feel bad about it. You also don’t need an extra toiletry bag, so that’s less in your bag, less on your mind, and less stress altogether.
2. Not Worry About Ruining a Pair of Underwear or Any of Your Pants
Whether it’s because we’re taken off guard when we get it or because it’s heavier than expected, leaks happens. But if you’re not getting it, you can rock any color underwear you want any time of the month, and you should totally appreciate that!
3. No One Can Blame Your Attitude on It
Ever have someone accuse you of being on your period? No? Consider yourself lucky. This is easily one of the most insulting things anyone can say whether it’s true or not. Your attitude is one thing; whether it’s related to your emotional state and potentially exaggerated by being PMS-y is no one’s business. And frankly if anyone does suggest that’s a reason, I strongly recommend saying something like “Yeah, but I’m a b**** all the other days of the month too.”
4. You Won’t Experience Hormonal Breakouts
We’ve all had acne breakouts, but the kind that happen once a month are extremely frustrating. Everyone is afflicted differently, but they show up at really inconvenient times, and they can make you feel that much more self-conscious, like a big red bullseye letting everyone know it’s that time of the month.
5. You Won’t Be Bloated
Ice cream, fried stuff, greasy food: It’s all really delicious and definitely will be sitting in your stomach around and during your period. You’ll look the same but you’ll feel like nothing fits, and you’ll be starving but full at the same time. It’s nothing short of miserable, and while it’s one thing to get bloated from eating too much, it’s another thing entirely to get it no matter what once once a month. Enjoy everything and eat even more of it before the bloat strikes!
6. You Won’t Deal with Water Retention
Everything swells. It’s just what happens. It’s not fun, but our periods need excess in order for our bodies to be able to function. It just doesn’t feel good when we retain water, so when it’s not happening, you can enjoy all the salty food you want, which is even better because it also won’t contribute to the bloat mentioned above.
7. You Won’t Be Hurting All Day
Cramps hurt. There’s no way around it. And it doesn’t feel like a muscle cramp or a leg cramp; it feels like your uterus is exploding, and it can ruin your entire day. Not having cramps is amazing! But cramps aren’t the only thing that hurts during your period: Your head, your lower back, your abdomen, and your boobs can all be in pain. It varies from person to person, but if you have your period, it’s unlikely you won’t be in pain. When you’re not getting it yet, you don’t have to wonder, “Is that a cramp or my appendix?”
8. You Won’t Be Popping Midol or Ibuprofen Every Five Seconds
They have side effects, which can be unpleasant when you’re already feeling delicate. If you haven’t gotten your period, you won’t freak out if you don’t have any on you!
But the most important aspect about being behind your friends is being honest. You have an opportunity that many of them didn’t, and more likely than not, they’ll want to pass on their sage wisdom to you. You get to go into menstruation armed with more knowledge and more maturity than most people. And that’s why when it does eventually arrive, (because it will!), you’ll appreciate it more than they did.
The important take away here is that just because you don’t have your period yet doesn’t mean you’re any less of anything than the people who do, especially when it comes to entering womanhood. You’re already there, and there are so many other qualities that represent womanhood. Your period is pure biology. So to all the ladies out there who feel behind the times, welcome to womanhood! You’ve been here all along.
Cover image courtesy of Shutterstock.
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