Women Are Absolute Warriors Who Deserve a Break Sometimes

“It takes courage to be a woman.” I stumbled upon this quote, and it struck a chord with me.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I made the life-changing decision to say goodbye to my reproductive organs with a full hysterectomy. And yes, I’m diving into this topic because it’s loaded with emotions, but trust me, it will be empowering if you stick around.

The Strength of Women

First off, let’s get this out there: Women are fierce warriors. We bear the weight of countless challenges throughout our lives: periods, pregnancy, childbirth, cramps, hormonal swings, cysts, tumors, pap smears, and the ever-dreaded menopause. I’ve swapped out super-plus tampons for hot flashes, bone loss, and even more mood swings.

From a young age, society has conditioned us to think that discussing periods is taboo. It’s awkward and gross, or so they say. It took me two decades to stop shoving my tampons under my paper towel purchases at the store (admit it, you’ve done it too). Women often get side-eyed for being irritable, immediately tagged as hormonal. And honestly, it’s understandable; this part of womanhood is tough. And guess what? It’s a reality for every woman out there.

Breaking the Stigma

Let’s break the stigma surrounding our reproductive organs. They’re not just functional; they often come with a whole lot of baggage. Sure, we’re lucky our bodies can create life, but for many of us, it’s a hard road. It’s too easy to brush off the struggles we face with “women’s issues.” Many don’t realize how debilitating these can truly be. Fibroids, chronic ovarian cysts, severe anemia, years of painful bleeding—these were my struggles that led to my hysterectomy. I needed to reclaim my life, both physically and mentally. I was at my breaking point, and that’s no exaggeration.

I’m definitely not alone in this. Thousands of women undergo hysterectomies each year for reasons far more serious than mine. Our bodies endure so much, and it often goes unappreciated.

Sisters, we’re navigating some tough terrain here.

The Juggling Act

Despite all of this, we continue to juggle household responsibilities, raise kids, and manage our families’ social lives—all while many of us hold down careers.

Seriously, it’s a lot. We are truly warriors.

Prioritizing Self-Care

When I think about all this, self-care immediately comes to mind. I realized that, yes, while the physical issues I faced were beyond my control, I actually found myself looking forward to major surgery just to get some rest. Crazy, right? I was anticipating an invasive, life-altering procedure simply so I could take a break for once.

With or without health challenges, it’s evident that most women I know rarely prioritize self-care. It often feels like a distant fantasy because we take on too much—largely because we have to—yet also because we struggle to say no. This is why we joke about living off coffee and wine; our lives are chaotic. This isn’t weakness or selfishness—being a woman can be exhausting and sometimes downright brutal.

A Heartfelt Plea

So here’s my heartfelt plea: Ladies, carve out some time for yourselves. Whether it’s hiring a babysitter, utilizing aftercare at school, or simply enjoying that third glass of wine with friends, do it! Call in sick when those period cramps hit hard. Explore that hobby you’ve been neglecting or go big and take that solo trip. Schedule time for self-care; you deserve it. Your kids, your relationships, and most importantly, your body and mind need it.

Don’t wait for a major life event to get some rest. Embrace life fully. Don’t let exhaustion win.

Keep fighting the good fight, warriors. It truly does take a lot of courage to navigate womanhood.

Summary

Women are incredible warriors who tackle numerous challenges throughout their lives, from menstruation to menopause. It’s essential for us to prioritize self-care amidst our busy lives, whether through small acts of kindness to ourselves or larger breaks. Let’s break the stigma and embrace our needs, fighting the good fight together.