Puberty, Periods, and the Power of Celebration
- Kary Florez
- Feb 9, 2025
- 2 min read
The First Period: A Milestone, Not a Crisis
For too many girls, the first period isn’t celebrated—it’s hidden. It arrives with whispered instructions, embarrassment, or silence. Some get pads slipped under a bathroom door. Others are told “don’t talk about it”
But here’s the truth: the first menstrual cycle—menarche—is not just a biological event. It’s a rite of passage. How it’s received shapes how a girl feels about her body, her hormones, and her womanhood for years to come.
The Weight of Shame and Taboo
When we treat periods as dirty, inconvenient, or secret:
Girls learn to disconnect from their bodies.
They carry shame into their teenage years, and often adulthood.
They miss the chance to understand their cycle as a vital sign—not just “a problem.”
This silence ripples out into anxiety, poor self-esteem, disordered eating, and even difficulty asking for help later in life.
The Power of Celebration
Now imagine something different. Imagine marking the first period with joy, not shame.
A small ritual, a gathering, or even just words of pride: “Your body is powerful. Welcome to a new chapter.”
Celebration creates:
Connection: She learns her body is not the enemy.
Confidence: Periods become a source of strength, not dread.
Education: Menarche is the start of learning how to live in sync with hormones.
My Bottom Line
The first period should be celebrated as the beginning of a lifelong relationship with the cycle—not ignored, mocked, or silenced. When we reframe menarche, we heal generational shame and empower the next wave of women.
Over to You
Want to be part of this shift? You can:
Register for my Menstrual Cycle Course (for yourself, your daughter, or even a man who needs to understand).
🎊 Organize a menarche celebration—yes, a party to mark this rite of passage with pride.
🎙️ Invite me to speak at your school, community, or family circle to open this conversation.
🙌🏼 Let’s raise girls who see their cycle as sacred, not shameful.
Bring this topic to your next tea date. Because sharing what works for us makes it easier for all of us ❤️