For the last four years I have had the privilege of bleeding in the comfort of my home.

 

I've had a light period for years meaning I happily and easily freebleed at home.

 

I spend most of the day laying down, often making a daybed in the sun with my journal, book and endless pots of tea.

 

I leave my bleed feeling nourished and refreshed, ready to spring into my spring phase and a new cycle.

 

But today I decided to work, despite knowing I was bleeding.

 

I thought my bleed was nearly done so I wore my thick black undies, feeling sure it would be enough

 

But...just one hour into the day I felt the hot sticky globs filling my underwear.

 

Oh dear.

 

I had to find a tampon from the office (I haven't used one in years)

 

And wrapped a scarf around my pants to hide the blood stains.

 

Luckily I don't have cramps and the kids I'm teaching are chill so the day is okay.

 

But I certainly will be taking the day off tomorrow to catch up on rest.

 

It's funny, being here in this work environment with blood all over me I don't feel any self pity, I feel deep empathy.

 

Empathy for the menstruators who have no choice but to show up to work every month all cycle through.

 

No choice but to deal with leakages

 

To work through pain

 

Or numb the pain the painkillers- dissociating from the bodies call to rest

 

Month after month after month.

 

No choice but to conform to a patriarchal society that doesn't see the fact that females literally shed blood as cause enough for a day of rest.

 

Imagine for a moment, that menstruators received one day off per month to rest on their bleed.

 

That the team was always ready and prepared to support these absences.

 

Imagine if at work and bleeding you could let your boss know, and your workload was reduced for the day, maybe you were sent home early.

 

Imagine a supply of hot water bottles and herbal teas were supplied by the office to support the womb health of bleeders.

 

I know a lot of people are reading and might find this laughable, but I'm not kidding.

 

A major reason for burnt out women / bleeders is their constantly acting like men in the workplace.

 

Working all month through without acknowledgement of this sacred time that is calling for rest.

 

I sit here in the staff room, blood between my legs, excited to go the fuck home and have a bath

 

And yet I feel a grief that all the women/ bleeders around me may never know this privilege.

 

This, right!

 

For just as we have the right to not pay gst on menstrual products

 

Just as homeless or financially hard shipped females should have the right to menstrual products.

 

It too should be a right that all who bleed have the right to be supported in resting.

 

How has your menstruation impacted you at work?

 

Do you feel supported by your team?

 

Or do you feel the need to take medication to get through?

 

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