#advice to myself

[arisingsun]

[brian4rmthe6]

[hearth-and-veil]

Things I wish someone had told me about menstruation:

Menstrual blood isn't more dirty than any other type of blood.

But it's still blood so...protocols.

Salt water is the best thing to presoak anything bloody in.

Designate a set of underwear for periods. It makes life so much easier to have a set of comfy underwear that you don't care about potentially staining.

Bad cramps are normal, but that doesn't make them healthy. All normal means is that it's a common problem. Don't let your doctor blow you off.

Your uterus is actually a very important organ with many functions and getting it removed for non-medical reasons is not a good idea. Your doctor wasn't refusing just to be a natalist asshole.

A tubal ligation will absolutely impact your hormones and period, no matter what the doctors tell you.

Depo provera is the fucking devil.

The average length of a period is 3-5 days. Which means half of all women have a period longer than that. Learn math, genius.

The average length of a menstrual cycle is 27-28 days. Again, yours can be longer or shorter than that. Averages suck.

Do not buy bras the week before or the week of your period unless you're buying them to wear during that time. (I go up a full cup size the week before my period.)

If a man has a problem with your period and claims it's just a problem with blood, then doesn't have an issue with blood from violent shit, don't fucking be with him.

Conversely, some men do just genuinely have an issue with blood. Having the same issue with your period blood does not make him a misogynist.

It's not terribly uncommon to get super horny on your period instead of during ovulation. But you can still get pregnant during your period so be smart.*

Taking iron and magnesium supplements regularly can make your period better. But they're hard on your stomach, so take them right after a meal, trust me.

Masturbation eases menstrual cramps better than any meds I've ever tried. Just make sure to put a towel down and thoroughly clean your toys.

Masturbation can also provoke your period when it's 'stuck' and just won't start.

Consult a medical professional first but a free testosterone boosting supplement (not a testosterone pill!!) can also unstick your period. BUT it may also make cramps worse and it will make hormonal acne worse.

Taking an emmenagogue to unstick or speed up your period will make cramps worse. Their entire role is to contract the uterus, and that's what a menstrual cramp is. Also pennyroyal is the least delicious mint.

It's ok to rest and relax. Men are not the shining gold standard of the world which women need to emulate. Equity, not equality.

*The only time you can't get pregnant is during the follicular phase. If there's an egg anywhere near sperm, you can still get pregnant. The egg can drop the first day of ovulation and not be expelled until the last day of menstruation. And my paranoid ass wouldn't even rely on being in the follicular phase. Protected Sex Gang for Life.

[kimchicuddles]

Here's some tough love for me (and whoever else wants it)... Thank you so much for supporting my work!   PATREON patreon.com/kimchicuddles COMMISSIONS & BOOKS TikvaWolf.com   TIPS! venmo.com/tikvawolf

[a-dream-deferred]

when you go out of your comfort zone to do something that you were hoping to enjoy but it doesn't go so well in the end DON'T let the evil little guy in your head use that as an excuse to prevent you from trying again or trying something else. tell yourself this was an experiment and a learning/training experience and a boost of courage for the future

[hazard-and-friends]

every time you catch yourself going "surely the puppy doesn't have to pee AGAIN", ignore that voice. it's the devil talking.

[dissentdisdain]

harsh truths

-while you're up all night thinking of what could've been, missing them, wondering why they won't talk to you... you don't occupy their mind at all. They are okay without you. Probably looking forward to weekend hangouts with their friends.

-They aren't writing poems about you. They aren't stalking your social media. They aren't looking back at old photos of you together. In fact, they deleted them years ago. They have moved on.

-They don't miss you. They don't want you. If they did, there would be signs. They're not crying over you. They're not talking about you in their therapy sessions. They aren't with their new friends, thinking of you. They aren't reminiscing about the times you had together. It meant nothing to them.

-They have accepted you were a lesson and they had the self awareness and respect to focus on themselves. You should do the same.

[hereslookingatyousquid]

It's OK to stop and count your blessings

[arisingsun]

[antvnger]

If you could give any past version of yourself any piece of advice, how far back would you go and what would the advice be?

Ooh that’s a tough one, Anon. I think I’d go back to 11 year old me when I felt like my life was being totally uprooted when we left Florida.

I would tell 11 year old me that as scary and as messed up as it seems now, things will get better. You’re just making your way to where you’re supposed to be. All of this that you feel now will have a purpose someday. Some of it will play into a big purpose, and some of it will play into small purposes. That’s okay.

And it’s okay you feel bad about it all. Just don’t hold onto those negative feelings; don’t turn them into a weapon. You won’t just be hurting others, you’ll hurt yourself in the process.

It’ll get better. This is all just molding you into the man you’re meant to be. And if everyone else is to be believed, he’s going to be a really good guy.

So hold on 11 year old me. Good things are on the horizon. Wait and see what I can see.

[hollyannewrites]

Happy STS! ♥️ You can go back in time and give yourself one piece of writing advice. What is it?

Ooh! I think I have an answer for this one:

I'd send this to high school aged me:

Don't slow down writing. Don't stop. It's not a silly little hobby to be embarrassed of--you're going to commit to this one day.

Really wish I had kept on top of my writing back then and not pushed it aside as much!

[vampireteardrops]

to be honest I’m so lost that I don’t even know what kind of advice I would give my younger self anymore

[r3alisticreads]

What Will You Tell Your Younger Self?

Healing and self-forgiveness are essential when embracing self-love. Some people find it easier to release their emotions by forming a letter to their younger self.

This is a time to reflect and be open with yourself. You will be surprised how much there is to discover once you write your letter.

It is a self-exploration experience that you will find quite refreshing. What would you tell your younger self if you were to write a letter? You can start your self-reflection process with these journaling prompts.

[feehippielove]

"Be quick to forgive and slow to anger"

- Queenetta (my grandma)

[theslyestbunn]

Just had a really needed conversation...

In case you have troubles telling yourself, let me tell you, like I needed someone to tell me -

You are enough.

What you're doing is enough.

It's ok to rest and be proud of the accomplishment you have worked hard for.

You have strived to reach the top of your mountain. So sit, rest and be proud of the strength you have to get you where you are.

And if you're still climbing, know that the top will always be there, don't be afraid to rest before the next leg of your journey.