So I sit here on day three of my period wanting to do absolutely nothing and knowing I have done absolutely nothing for the past two days. Whilst my body is just fine with this tempo, my brain is OVER IT and wants to get to work. After I spent four extra hours in bed yesterday morning and the remaining daylight hours on my couch doing zip, zero, nada, zilch, my chief operating system is like, "What the actual f*ck are you doing right now?"
Throughout the day, I would feel the guilt and pick up my phone to check Slack, social inboxes and other sorts of "working," or at least tricking my brain to say, "Look, you are working. See?" After all, I am a ladyboss, I run multiple businesses and have plenty of work to get done.
And let's be honest, this "work" I was pretending to do was all of a few hours of doom scrolling and merely appeasing my monkey brain whilst my body was straight up OUT OF THE OFFICE. And I am sure that more than one reader can relate to this feeling.
The Busted Algorithm
We are all at least somewhat aware that a female body does some intense things every month and even though my particular lady body has been dropping unfertilized eggs for nearly 30 years now, every month Flow arrives is a near surprise of tsunami proportion that essentially flatlines my body and my brain. And I literally lose my composure every single time like I do not see it coming. Deep breaths with me if you agree.
What if we reprogram the body to let her do whatever she wants during Flow's visit? What if the patriarchy can go ahead and f*ck itself with these caveman standards of working through a serious biological experience?
The training of my smart yet archaic monkey mind has me fighting dear Flow every step of the way to "stay productive," "keep going" and at all costs, "don't lose momentum!" As I type this, I realize just how actually insane this logic is. I mean, not only is it unreasonable but it is also unfair of us to demand so much out of our true support system: our own body. And likely we have become so demanding not because we want to but because we are told we have to.
Reprogram the System
But what if we f*ck up that algorithm and reprogram the body to let her do whatever she wants during Flow's visit? What if the last three days of doing literally nothing productive is the best collaboration me and my real business bestie (myself) can do for each other? What if the patriarchy can go ahead and step aside with these caveman standards of working through what is quite actually a serious biological experience we have every 24 to 28 days? Of course cycles vary because every body is different and we need to honor her, honor us.
If the patriarchy will not honor us, well, we will do it on our own then.
On the first two days of my bleeding, I am at zero output capacity. I do not care if that is on a Monday, a Tuesday or a Sunday. There is just no amping up productivity, although I try my hardest because the old monkey brain is a good little soldier.
The Bigger Picture
As we see more women taking roles of leadership in politics, we can hope for advances like actual, substantial maternity leaves that give space for our biological rhythms to be honored.
As we take more autonomy of our money and spending power, we can support other women forward businesses and initiatives that honor our bodily sovereignty.
And as we talk more openly about our power and our ability to wield it, own it and encourage other sex positive agendas, we will see more space for ourselves to literally honor ourselves.
All the above goals are clearly taking some time to move the needle on progress. And yes, as I have written before, this is political. So we as thought leaders, industry disruptors and business activists must advocate for our own sovereignty on our monthly cycles so that it can bleed into other aspects of our daily lives. Please do not pardon that pun. We also must extend this grace not only to ourselves during our low days but also to other women we encounter throughout our day to day activities and, for that matter, all humans.
A Few Ways to Un-F*ck the Algorithm
Here are just a few quick and helpful things I have been doing lately to reprogram the algorithms of my body around my bleeding. Take what you like and leave the rest.
Sleep Like You F*cking Mean It
Middle of day, late night, into the morning. Put a note on the door, text your people, tell them you need a few moments extra today. It sounds hard but pick a window and then claim it as your extra rest time. You deserve it and you need it.
Take a F*cking Walk Outside
Fresh air and sunshine are gifts for our body. We need it. Even if you can only carve out 20 minutes, that is 20 minutes of new oxygen, vitamin D and self care that no one can take from you. It is your reset.
Go F*cking Light on Your Workout
I know I like to get my morning cardio, yoga, grounding meditation and all that good stuff in before my day begins but on period days, it just is not happening. Period. And that is ok. We do not have to do it all.
Eat Whatever the F*ck You Want
I tend to eat pretty clean for a bunch of reasons I will not get into here, and on period days, that is out the window. Because my body is the boss and if she wants biscuits for lunch and pasta for dinner, that is what we are having.
We as thought leaders, industry disruptors and business activists must advocate for our own sovereignty, starting with the algorithms running inside our own bodies.
This is what Business 4 Good is about at its core. Not just building better tech or better business. Building better systems that honor the full human experience, starting with the sense of belonging we all deserve. Systems where our biology is not a liability, where #Tequity starts with the most fundamental technology of all: our own bodies.
We are building a new economic model for women in business. One that does not require you to push through the glass cliff on your worst day. One that makes space for you, all of you, at every point of your cycle. Your knowledge has value. Your body has wisdom. And both deserve to be honored.
Love,
Rose
