When my body began changing at 24 years-old, I panicked.
I spent my early 20s straightening my hair, contouring my face, and tightening my bum.
I did anything and everything to adhere to heteronormative beauty standards thrown in my face my entire life.
Prinita Thevarajah
What I discovered was a fear that was not my own.
I internalized a conditioning that made me yearn to look like anyone but me.
Instead, I uplift all the ways my body is exemplary and distinct.
Skin
My skin began breaking out in the summer of 2019.
After my first major break up, I spiraled.
To recalibrate my hormones, changes in my diet have been absolutely necessary.
Hair
My hair began to fall out six months after moving to New York City.
Hair lives in a four step cycle.
It grows, then rests, falls, and regenerates.
The yoyo of hormones can also contribute to hair loss.
I also put down the straightener a few years ago and vowed to onlytreat my hair with natural products.
My bum has always been round and my breasts have always hung heavy.
In my early twenties, my belly began rounding out and my hips became wider.
Menstrual Cycle
One body change I embraced wholeheartedly was the regulation of my menstrual cycle.
I spent my early 20s with unpredictably long cycles andextremely heavy flows.
The science:People with uteruses reach their peak fertility potential in their 20s.Menstruation also becomes more regular.
Unfortunately,menstrual crampsmay become especially painful too.
This is because painful menstrual conditions, such as endometriosis, often occur around your 20s.
I encourage you to make time to tune into the rhythms of your physical being.
The Final Takeaway
Learning to listen to my body is a revolutionary act.
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