Palate for Style

Period a.k.a menstruation should scare you and make you uncomfortable.  Yes yes it should!

After all it’s a disease that comes every month or maybe every few months for a couple of days.

After all it’s some kind of impure blood gushing out non-stop and staining everything it touches.

After all it’s something that makes women filthy and untouchable.  

After all it’s something that makes women scream and moody all the time.

After all it’s something that makes women immobile and ill.  

After all it’s something dirty and to be treated with utmost secrecy.

After all it’s something of a legend we should never talk about. Hmmm just like Voldemort! 😶

Oh how I wish this was all true. It sure would make the nonsense around periods so much more easier to accept and deal with. But alas some dreams are, well, just dreams! So wake up my dear friends..

P.S – Fellow humans, if anything related to menstruation makes you uncomfortable and scared, please do proceed forward. You need to be educated for the sake of all wonderful ladies who make your life so beautiful. If you still think you can’t handle talks about vagina, blood, pads and stains, please stop reading. Thank you. ☺️

PERIOD – A LEGEND TO  FEEL GUILTY ABOUT 

I still remember the first time I got my period .. Oh what a scary day it was.. I thought I spilled ketchup and kept wondering how did I do it 😂 I did not have enough knowledge to understand the changes my body was going through and the first couple of months were so difficult! If only someone had explained to me prior that this is a very natural progression of your body and nothing to be ashamed of. But I was made to feel ashamed. Again and Again..

By the pharmacists who wrapped the pads in newspapers and then added another level of security by putting it in black color carry bags. *If only that level of security was applied to creating their passwords 😁*

I was made to feel ashamed everytime I got period at school or university and there were no pads available in the toilets.. When I had to rush to my girl friends and talk in the most hushed tones, god forbid a guy heard about it.

I was made to feel ashamed when I was told not enter temples or touch a jar of pickles.. Well I still don’t know how the pickles would get spoilt if I touched them. Maybe I turn into a demon with special destructive powers. Yes yes that’s it!!

I was made to feel ashamed on numerous occasions because the blood coming out of my vagina had magical powers to destroy everything I touched and the power of making my fellow human beings uncomfortable even if the word period was uttered.. *best way to get out of a conversation with that uncle who asks too many questions. 🙈 *

PERIOD –  A LEGEND THAT GIVES US MAGICAL POWERS

Luckily, things weren’t too bad at my place. I lived a relatively normal life during my period time.. I mean my dad and brother used to get pads for me, which speaks volumes in a country where still a large number of women are made to sleep on the floor, not allowed to enter the kitchen and temples, not allowed to eat with others, not allowed to touch plants, not allowed to take part in any of the religious ceremonies at home, all because they become “impure” and “polluted” during those 4-5 days. Hmm, I always knew women were magical creatures with power beyond human understanding but this my dear is pretty mind-blowing! Make way for super humans please. A.I. is just rubbish. They should learn from us! 😎

PERIOD – A LEGEND TO BE NEVER SPOKEN ABOUT

I am still made to feel ashamed when it comes to talking about periods.

Oh Monika it’s not a very good topic to talk or write about. Why do you want to talk about something so personal? I still don’t know how my period is different from the woman next to me and what’s so special about it to hide! *still thinking* 

Who talks about periods? It’s something a good woman will never do. Have some decency.  Yes, talking about periods is the most indecent thing in the world. Way more indecent than raping young girls or honor killings.. Oh yes, absolutely!

PERIOD – LET’S CREATE A NEW LEGEND

In the past, there were sanitary and hygiene reasons for following these traditions (you can read about them by doing a quick google search). But with time the original reasoning was completely forgotten and it became more of a restrictive practise.

So why not start having more open and honest conversations about period? I think it’s high time we took away the taboo associated with it. Period is not a big deal! Seriously! There are even bigger issues of women not having access to sanitary napkins or anything hygienic to use during that time of the month. Those are the issues we should be tackling. But how can we do that if we are still not comfortable to even talk about it? I urge and challenge my gorgeous girlfriends to stop hiding behind an invisible cloak when it comes to period. It’s a natural way for your body to let you know everything is fine. Educate people about periods and why they do not make us a walking monster. Ok maybe a cute cuddly monster but definitely not a full blown one! Let us educate our little sisters and daughters about menstruation without the various myths associated.. So that the next time a young girl has her first period, she will not wonder how did ketchup end up on her underwear..

LET’S DEBUNK SOME OF THE MYTHS PLEASE

Everything mentioned below is a myth and not true at all during that time of the month-

• Women are always moody and irrational. 🙋🏽
• PMS is not a real thing and something just in your head. 💆🏽
• Menstruation blood is impure. 🌹
• You cannot exercise at all and need to rest  throughout. 💪
• You cannot have sex. 👫
• You cannot get pregnant. 👪
• You will get eaten by sharks if you swim in the ocean. 🐋
• Menstrual cycles are always 28 days. 😱
• You cannot wash your hair. 👰🏽
• Missed period is a 100% indication of pregnancy. 👶🏽
• Tampon can get lost in your vagina. 😂

HELPFUL TIPS FOR THAT TIME OF THE MONTH

There are tonnes of tips online about eating better, taking a warm bath, pampering etc etc. I am just listing a few that help me make my period a little better –

Period tracking app –

I have never been good at tracking my period only in my head. Whenever I try, I end up crying without any pads at 3 am in the morning. So I think it’s always good to rely on technology for this. Get any period tracking app and they will tell you when your period is due, when you are fertile and alot more. I use period diary and honestly don’t like it much but it does the job of letting me know when to stock up! There are tonnes of amazing ones available in the app store.

Sanitary napkins

I use pads but you can use either pads or tampons. The choice is yours.

I have always been super particular about the pads used. They need to be thin and long enough to avoid stains. I highly recommend “U by Kotex All nighter Ultra thin”.

Avoid stains while sleeping –

Caution – You are entering TMI territory. Enter with caution and at your own expense. 🌻

I am sure my fellow chicas know the pain of seeing red spots on beautiful bed sheets in the morning and feeling a rage beyond words! No? Ok I need to work on my anger issues then. 🙈 But seriously, I am here to rescue you guys. Superwoman Monika is here, no worries. Use two pads in the night. Not on top of each other but one after the other so that the entire space of your underwear is occupied with the pads. It works like magic and you can sleep like a baby. Your welcome. 😉

Get out of the house –

Go for a walk for 30 minutes and you’ll surely feel better. As much as I love curling in the bed with a good book, it always feels good to get moving and breath fresh air.

#CelebrateFallWithMonika #CelebrateWinterWithMonika #CelebrateSomethingWithMonika

I am not entirely sure whether this season is fall or winter. So let’s just celebrate something..

#Monika’s-School-Of-Fashion is back back! Who’s excited? Atleast pretend to be excited folks 😕 Let’s share some more key items for cooler weather.

Puffer Vest –

A great layering piece that makes you look cute. And if you are wondering about why I chose red.. Well yes, it’s because I knew I was going to talk about menstruation and blood and stuff.. Ha if only I was this organized and planned when it came to writing posts. 🙈 It was a pure coincidence and good one..

Some options for my gorgeous menstruating girls 😂

Sunglasses –

By now we have established that I am poor and surprisingly not a single human has come forward to help me..😐 Anywho, I love the flash mirror ones from Ray Ban. Till I can afford one, cheaper options will do. The sun is still glaring so some cool glasses are great addition for fall and winter..

And that’s a wrap for another post.. Hope you all have a kick-ass week! Thank you for stopping by.. Ciao – Love, M ❤️

When the Hulk goes into a vicious rage and destroys everything, he’s “incredible”.

But when I do it “I’m on my period”! 

OUTFIT DETAILS 
Vest – Macy’s (similar) – $60
Turtle Neck Top – Macy’s (similar) – $15
Leggings – Old Navy (similar) – $35
Shoes – DSW (kinda similar)
Bag – Forever 21 (similar) – $25
Sunglasses – ZeroUV – $10

Random fact – I love dancing and below is a proof of my love for bollywood moves..