There are still lots of important topics that need to be normalised in society. They don’t get spoken about often enough, and in the end become taboo topic. A conversation to be had under hushed voices, or to not be talked about at all.
In my own personal experience, it can be incredibly damaging and has had a massive impact on my overall wellbeing.
01. Periods
Periods are one of the most natural things to happen. They’re something that we cannot control, can arrive at the most awkward of times, and cause increasing amounts of pain.
Talking about periods helps us all to find ways of:
- coping with our periods
- dealing with our hormones
- coping mechanisms for pain.
Periods are natural, and don’t let anyone tell you differently.
Read 30 thoughts we all have on our period
02. Stress
We all get stress sometimes, and we all feel overwhelmed. Life is hard, there is no guide to getting through it or avoiding stress. Sometimes we all just need someone to speak to, or if it is work, voicing our opinions to our managers.
Finding coping mechanisms can really help too including:
- finding ways to manage your workload
- speaking to people at work
- managing other people’s expectations
- giving yourself a break.
You’re doing your best and that will always be enough in life.
03. Men’s emotions
When it comes to men showing their feelings or emotions, it’s still a taboo. For example if they cry it can be a sign of weakness, but in reality it isn’t. Men are allowed to share their emotions and thoughts just as much as I am.
Making them feel less than is wrong. We should be encouraging people to share their emotions if they want to and create a safe space for them to do so.
How can you create a safe space?
- allow people to voice their opinions openly without judgement
- create a calm environment
- encourage people to voice their opinions.
04. Mental health
I talk about mental health a lot, mainly because talking about it is my coping mechanism. Mental health can make us feel alone, like no one is the world can understand how we’re feeling.
By talking about it, it can help others to feel like they’re not alone and that it will get better. Mental health will always be a rollercoaster, and I feel like since coronavirus it has only increased. But there is a lot we can do to support each other.
Read more mental health and support posts
05. Smears
I’ve recently had my second smear test, and I think it is incredibly important to keep up the conversations that are happening.
Smear tests are incredibly important, and even though they may be slightly uncomfortable to have, putting the test off isn’t worth risking your health.
When that letter comes, don’t put it off, your test can take less than 20 minutes, don’t delay.
06. Normal doesn’t exist
Normality doesn’t exist, a lot of the time it what society deems is ‘normal’. For example the fact that society believes we should have children or be married by a certain age, have bought a house, but in reality these things aren’t always easy. Buying a house is hard, especially in the current economic climate, sometimes people don’t find the right person to settle down with or they don’t want to have children.
Normal doesn’t exist, and as long as you’re living your happiest life, doing what is best for you, that is truly all that matters. Do not let society tell you that you need to have children right this second or get married. Your happiness is all that matters.
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I cannot agree with this post enough. I hate when people say that men can’t cry and they should grow up. I think it really shows character if a man can show emotion x
A big huge massive yes to this post! I wish these subjects would be normalised in today’s society, especially mental health and smear tests x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
This is great. I definitely think we all need to be talking more about all of these topics. Its important to remember the last one because that will help us to stop comparing with others, which in turn will help with our own mental health.
Yes totally agree with all of these! I actually try and talk about a lot of these just around work colleagues etc to try and normalise them a little more – I can see some of them are maybe a little uncomfortable at first, but ultimately it only makes everyone more comfortable in the end!
Amy x
callmeamy.co.uk
Fabulous post Amie. I love the last pointer Especially, I think it’s a brill way to finish the post. Understanding that there’s no such thing as normal is SO freeing!
Claire.X
Ah I love this post, Amie! I agree with all of these. It seems ridiculous that some of these things are still “taboo” or a bit hush hush to talk about, doesn’t it?
Totally agree with all of these points!
I wish periods were talked about more in school and to the boys in school as well. How many fully grown men don’t understand how periods work is astounding. I also think smears should be talked about in school, just so you knew what would happen later on in life! I only found out more about it when I read someone’s blog post and I felt more comfortable with it then rather than heath websites!
Thank you for sharing this post. I hope sometime soon in the future these topics will be less taboo.
Sophie | https://sophieemilyblogs.com/
I’ve never felt like periods are taboo to talk about! I’ve always spoken about them openly to anyone and never had any negative reaction to it! I think it is becoming less taboo and most men are actually okay with it these days, It’s just that awkward teenage stage when it’s still a bit embarrassing!
Hi Amie,
I completely agree.
I’m a bit (OK, a lot!) older than you and so I was raised with the ‘stiff upper lip’ approach that has been the norm for so long. I think it may be a little too late in the day for this old dog to learn new tricks but I do think that the younger generation are getting better at this.
I’m really glad periods is on here, and I don’t really understand how they have become such a taboo topic! Thanks for sharing, I hope this helps bring a bit of awareness about these topics x
These topics are still very much taboo you’re so right! I believe change needs to come from school education to be honest x
It’s quite shocking how many topics are still stigmatised or considered taboo. And I certainly agree that talking about these things definitely helps to highlight and normalise them, You’ve written such an incredible post so thank you xxx
Yes to all of this!! All. Of. It. The fact that there is still stigma around addressing these topics in 2021 is sad but the fact that they are being tackled is a great sign. I think that anything we can do to help support getting these topics normalized is worth doing, even if it’s a little uncomfortable at first. Sometimes reading something that someone has shared has me going, “Oh, my gosh, me too!” And it’s liberating. Thanks for this reminder to keep talking about this.
Totally agree with all of these. We should be able to speak about these subjects without feeling shy or shameful.
Particularly love the men’s mental health one. I am seeing a change, but more work needs to be done.
yes yes yes to so many of these! I feel like I’m surrounded by so many people who talk about their mental health, and I’m so open with my own, that I feel lucky to say that it’s something that’s not very taboo around me. I started talking to this guy two months ago, and on our first date we both mentioned the fact that we go to therapy! I think it’s a huge sign of things changing for the better. Great post xxx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
Wonderful, empowering post!
~Michelle
https://michellescrazybusylife.net
A big yes to all of these. It’s quite shocking how these topics still aren’t talked about and normalised how the should be.
Absolutely, I am so here for this!
Danielle | thereluctantblogger.co.uk
100% agree with your list here! I have menstrual depression and I hate having to tiptoe around talking about my period with people! It’s so frustrating.
Periods yesss I’m from a 4 sister family so it was quite common growing up and all of our husbands are cool with it – we’re quite a female dominated family. But others think it’s strange and find it odd. It shouldn’t be taboo!
Rosie
Completely agree esp re: periods. It should be a subject taught to all and not just those that have periods. Will certainly be doing that with our children.
I agree! Everything surrounding mental health needs to be talked about early. I think, if addressed at all, it’s not until kids are in their teens when changes in their behavior may be more noticeable. Problem with that is the feelings behind the behaviors have existed long before it shows. I could deep dive on all of these, but I will close in saying that everything women experience needs to be discussed more. There is a lot of shame and misinformation/ misunderstandings in being a women from all sexes. So much anxiety could be put to rest if we just did better.
~Cassie
There are so many important topics here that we should all talk about, it’s important not to shy away from them as so many of us could be helped with personal struggles if we openly discussed them. I do think society is getting better at this though.