SEEING RED...

Ok TMI TMI TMI (boys you might want to scroll or skip this one or not hear me out)

Friend, do you remember your first period? I remember mine like it was yesterday chillle!

In 2010 I left the home I grew up in, leaving my parents behind, to my dad's hometown.

A year or two later my dad moved as well so I stayed with him and my baby sister. One day I woke up with so much discomfort around my abdomen and went to the bathroom and I saw RED, luckily for me my pjs wear black and I had an idea of what was happening. I was so embarrassed, and I did not want my dad to see me or even know what was going on, so I called my mom because she was in another city, she called my sister's friends' mom who then told me to take a bath and gave me Stayfree pads. I have been using the brand ever since.

For some reason, I feel like Stayfree pads minimize my cramps (do not at me, it is the comfort is brought to me that reminds me of my first period). They are super comfortable and as a heavy flow girlie and girl boss, I never worry about any leakages at night or as I go about my day getting the brand.

I have the most brutal period cramps and as much as on some days I just want to eat ice cream and sleep I have to show up for myself and Stayfree helps me show up confidently knowing I am good/ taken care of.

We all have different stories about our first period and our journeys in womanhood. Embarrassing times, the 'OH SHIT' moments and another girl gladly giving you a pad and making sure you were good.

Unfortunately, some girls' stories are a little sadder.

Reality is in SA, there are girls who cannot go to school because they do not have sanatory towels, some girls are using cloth or toilet paper because they cannot afford them. “Bread or Pad?” That is the decision they must make every single month.

This is a friendly reminder to you my girly that some girls do not have an easy and pleasant introduction to womanhood and I plea with you to please donate sanitory towels to young girls close to you or to amazing organisations that are trying to help our girls.

NB: There is no witty ending to this post lol.

DM me on Instagram to donate @teydablogger and share your story in the comments x