Do you have your period mumma?

Growing up, when I had my period, my mum would call this season of being a woman "dirty".

It wasn't a rite of passage or something that was considered sacred. It was considered a nuisance, "dirty" and evidence for being "less than". 

She would also refer to it as a "sickness". During these times, I wasn't allowed to pray, burn incense or go near the altar or the prayer tables and prayer rooms in our house. For it would be a "sin". 

And it was what she was taught. My grandmother was taught... and so-on and so-on.

In my relationships, when I had my period, my ex-partners and even John would have a nickname for it. They would roll their eyes and make fun of it. John used to call it, "Oh, the dragon's coming out!" 

They would find it uncomfortable. I would find it uncomfortable. And there was an embarrassment and a shame around it for me. 

There was no "sacred" association with it or honour for what it is to be a woman.

And everything about that time of the month, as a woman when you're menstruating, is a reflection of the "sacredness" of what it is to be a woman. 

I wasn't taught this. 

What I was taught in my culture within our family home about being female was that being female meant I was less than and inferior.

And I was also taught that being a woman, was inconvenient.

You needed to be pretty, you needed to be sexy, you needed to have people admire your body and your looks - AND your body is something you use, and get used by. 

It was allowed to be abused by others - whether that be through getting hit or my uncle groping me inappropriately and I had no say. 

I was taught that my body isn't mine. It was owned by others. 

This really impacted the way I felt about myself growing up.

I struggled with being feminine.

I struggle with intimacy (and I'm still working through this).

I struggled with allowing myself to "be a woman".

So much so - I developed an "alpha" energy where I didn't need anyone. 

This energy interfered with my relationships, friendships, and being able to be myself. 

I always had a guard up. 

It's been over a decade now where I no longer identify with the "miss independent", "strong alpha woman" role.

She was an identity I created to "survive"... and she taught me so much about pain, suffering, and the cost of not being comfortable in my own skin and accepting who I am. 

So here I am, a mother of 2 boys.

More than ever, I know the importance of LOVING who I am - especially my body; and I'm their guide on how they are going to treat women, see women, and understand women. 

If you have young children, you may be familiar with them wanting to shower with you or have a bath with you. 

Recently, I had my period. Since I've had our boys, I've never shyed away from sharing with them about the female body, including when I have my period and explaining what it is.

For when they are older and in relationships, I'm raising boys into men that can hold space for their partners.

Today, Brooklyn asked to have a shower with me.

"Do you have your period still, mumma? Can I shower with you if it's finished?". 

Brooklyn is 2.

As I heard these words from his mouth, my Heart bloomed. 

I could feel a cycle had been broken. I found it remarkable that my 2-year-old could ask me this and how "normal" it was.

He didn't feel it was taboo or any judgement. I didn't feel any embarrassment or shame. It was a real safe space, and acceptance of this is what a female body experiences.

He then said, "Only girls have periods. Not boys... so daddy doesn't have a period."

Wow! I thought to myself. John and I have done so much work to really support our boys to normalise and be really accepting of their bodies and other people's bodies.

Having been raised that a female's body is owned by men and to feel so much shame around my body and what it is to be female - we have come so far. Culturally, socially, and Spiritually.

The biggest barrier to healing and accessing your Higher Self is "coming into the body".

Feeling safe in your body. Being able to be grounded in your body. 

And if you were raised to be ashamed of your body, to neglect your body, to judge or reject your body, or that your body wasn't really yours and it's something you "use" to get validation and approval, and if you were "hit" or violated - therein lies the opportunity for healing.

Meet your body with Love. 

Learn to get back into your body. Get grounded in your body. Learn what's needed to feel safe in your body.

Escaping the body or any unconscious shame that is in your cells that has you reject your body is what is holding you back from trusting yourself, trusting your Heart, and trusting and surrendering to Life. 

We are infinite Spiritual Beings having a Human experience. The human experience is 100% dependent on being grounded and feeling safe in our bodies.

Sending love,

Yummii xx

PS Ready to start healing generational patterns and getting grounded in your body? Reach out here.