10 ways I navigate life when PMS is fucking with my head

Hey, I swear, I’m not crying or screaming while I write this.

👋 Hey,

Happy Monday. I’m having a productive Substack morning, but a not-so-productive everything else morning. I’m avoiding work, staring out the window between thoughts, and thinking about what to eat for lunch. So I thought I’d surprise you with a short treat. Today’s post is more relatable for the ladies but gentlemen, I hope you’ll take the opportunity to educate yourselves about what PMS brain feels like for some women. Or tell us how you navigate women in your life are extra nice to women in your life when they have PMS (comments are open, but BE NICE). Menstruation is not taboo in this little corner of the internet. 

Red Poppy by Georgia O’Keeffe

10 ways I navigate life when PMS is fucking with my head 

1. I think about meditating about 80% of the time, but spend 0% of my time doing it.

2. I eat all the greasy, fried, spicy, and carby food I want. I know, I know I should avoid unhealthy foods during PMS and my period, well really at all times, but it makes me happy (in moderation) so I don’t care.  

3. I struggle to focus on my freelance writing work and then feel bad about it, but I should probably just update my Slack status to this:🩸Fuck it. On a serious note, I try to schedule meetings and due dates around my cycle. It doesn’t always work, but the awareness helps. Flo is a great tracking app. 

4. I snuggle up on the sofa or in bed to binge-watch something light and fun or I spend hours reading. Currently in my queue: That 90s Show and Baby Fever (aka Skruk in Danish) on Netflix and The Shining by Stephen King (ok, my reading choice is not light and fun this month, but it’s so good).

5. I smash balls at padel (usually out of the court or into the net). But seriously, I exercise regularly and do my best to keep this up even when I’m not in the mood. It has huge benefits on my mood and overall energy levels. I’m not sure what I would do without physical exercise. Lately, this involves padel, hot yoga, and sauna sessions followed by cold bath plunges. But I might add CrossFit to the mix soon.  

Me releasing my inner child after missing the ball at padel a few weeks ago. I’m hoping to go pro by my 47th birthday.  

6. I avoid making big life decisions except apparently when it involves my Substack (let’s be honest, it’s not that serious). I rebranded… again. The third time’s a charm! I’ll share more about this soon, but nothing about my writing will change. 

7. I snap at my boyfriend over stupid shit, feel bad about it, and then a day later I realize it was my evil PMS twin (or I realize he did do some stupid shit).

8. I question whether my IQ has dropped a few points because gathering and articulating my thoughts is like pouring water through a strainer. 

9. I avoid socializing too much (who am I kidding, I do this all the time, I love my alone time). 

10. I write. Whether it’s always coherent is another question. I have PMS right now, so I’ll let you decide.

Let’s discuss! 💬

• Ladies - I’d love to know how you navigate changes in your mood during your cycle. Also, are you a tampon, pad, period cup, or other type of gal? I’ve wanted to try the cup for a while, but I’m scared it’ll get lost up there. Please share all your recommendations! 

• Gents - I’m not sorry if you can’t handle this topic. For those who are still here, please feel free to join the convo!  

Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor or therapist. This is not medical advice, which you probably already realized but hey, I just want to cover my ass. 

👀 ICYMI

• Have you introduced yourself yet? If not, please do!

• How I went from being a broke-ass clothing designer to a well-fed writer

• Am I qualified to give advice?

• An open letter to Alzheimer’s: thanks for stealing my mom, now fuck off and die