Original Artwork: My Blood Flows Like the Rivers

My Blood Flows Like the Rivers, Digital Drawing, 2025

Coincidentally, I started my period today:) Does life imitate art, or does art imitate life?

After I made this piece I flashed back to memories of reading teen girl magazines filled with what they called period “horror stories” which were designed to share readers’ “embarrassing” experiences. I would devour these stories thinking of my own moments of shame. These stories were completely focused on the male supremacist gaze and how the female body is interpreted by males as unhuman and dirty. It takes tremendous work, but try your best to resist these tools of female subjugation. You can heal any period wounds you carry with time and care. I love my period now (as much as I hate it lol). It can be a great topic to discuss with a therapist.

PLEASE SHARE ANY FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RESOURCES IN THE COMMENTS:)

✍️ Journal Reflect Prompts:

• What’s a funny period moment that has happened to you?

• Are there period memories that fill you with shame or embarrassment? Why?

• Imagine you’re in a supportive space, how can you reframe those memories?

• What questions do you have about menstruation? Who can you talk to about these things?

• Are you afraid of starting your period? Why? What could help you to address any fears that come up?

🗣️ Self-Talk Exercise:

• Talk to your body and let it know you love it and all that it does to keep you functioning and healthy.

• Hug yourself for 1 minute.

• Notice what feelings come up and journal about them after this exercise.