Page 84 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 7 | October - November 2024

GLOW Our guide to nurturing the

intricacies of the feminine body and
its hormonal phases.
FLOW
B Y GR ACE CLARKE
WITH

THE

It was my first little glimpse into all the Unlike men, whose hormonal cycles reset
changes my body would go through as I daily, women’s cycles span an average of 23
got closer to puberty, although it would to 35 days. This understanding has given
take me years to truly appreciate this idea, me a clearer perspective on how my body
s girls, we often hear the as I grappled with fluctuating hormones changes throughout the feminine flow cycle,
phrase, “your body is your and a growing dislike for my body every impacting my emotional health, energy levels,
temple,” though in our time my period arrived – bringing bloating, complexion, body weight, and hair. Each phase
formative years, it’s hard to breakouts, and emotional upheaval. of the cycle – menstrual, follicular, ovulatory,
fully grasp its meaning. For I vividly remember weeping the night I got and luteal – affects our bodies differently,
many of us, this understanding is clouded my first period, overwhelmed by a sense leading us to peaks of glowing radiance and
by insecurities and, at times, even a sense of shame and confusion as I transitioned lows of fatigued days. Recognising these
of frustration with our bodies. I first came from girlhood into womanhood. I now find fluctuations, and the network of hormones
across this phrase in the book The Care & myself resonating deeply with the sentiment, that flow through our cycles, can help us better
Keeping of You by AmericanGirl, which I having embraced the complexities of my navigate the ebbs and flows of our temples with
found in my school library. feminine body. greater awareness and acceptance.

84 | MASALA MAGAZINE OCT-NOV 2024