Oh, that's why I'm feeling this way: The premenstrual ah-ha moment

Ever have one of those days where everything feels extra hard, like you're moving through mud? That was me yesterday. I felt so blah and heavy, wondering why I was so out of it, then bam! It hit me. It's almost period time. How do I keep forgetting this every month?

Why talk about it?

I'm writing this because, let's be real, I know I'm not the only one. We all go through this, but it's like we're not talking about it enough. Every month, it's the same surprise. Time to change that.

Okay, I get it. It feels weird talking about period stuff. As someone who's supposed to always have it together, admitting I'm feeling off because of my period seems a bit... I don't know, taboo? But it's natural, right? We shouldn't feel weird about it.

Work days in hard mode

You know what I mean. You're at work, and usually, you're on top of things. But on these days? It's like everything is ten times harder. You're not less smart, it's just that your body's busy with other stuff. Realising this can be such a relief.

As someone in a leadership role, I think it's important we're open about this stuff. If I talk about it, maybe it'll help others feel okay to say, "Hey, I'm having a tough day, bear with me." It's about being real and understanding each other.

So how do we better handle the slump?

First, know your cycle. It's like having a heads-up from your body. On those heavy days, take it easy. It's fine to slow down a bit. And hey, a little extra treat (like choccy) never hurts.

Wouldn't it be great if you could just say, "Feeling a bit pre-period today," and everyone gets it? That's the kind of vibe I want at work. A place where this is just part of life, no big deal.

Survival tips

How do we get through it? Well, acknowledging that this is a temporary hormonal hijack helps. Track your cycle, and maybe mark the danger days on your calendar as a heads-up. Self-care is crucial - good food, enough sleep, and maybe some extra wine (because why not?). Also, cut yourself some slack on these days. It's okay to not be at 100%.

Let's talk about it more. With friends, with family, even with colleagues if you're comfortable. It helps when people around you get why you might need that extra cup of coffee or why you're a bit quieter than usual. Workplaces that understand this? Gold dust!

The next day magic

And then, just like that, you wake up feeling like yourself again. It's wild how fast it changes. It's like your body saying, "Okay, the show's over, back to regular programming."

So, this is about more than those tough pre-period days. It's about getting it, talking about it, and being there for each other. It's normal, we all go through it, and the more we chat about it, the better. Let's keep it real and support each other, no matter what day of the month it is.

A big shout out to my gym buddy this morning for the listening ear and the much-needed reminder that this is natural and normal.