It wasn’t something I planned out like, “Oh, well next week I’ll be on my period, what a swell time to go camping.”

No, my boyfriend threw the idea out there, and without even thinking about the fact I’d be on my period I said yes.

There used to be a time in my life where I would try and plan around my period, and yet big events and vacations always seemed to fall on the same week as my period.

The mental switch from thinking my period was some stupid nuisance that I had to “deal” with once a month to now seeing it as this really neat cycle that my body goes through has really opened me up to plenty of new opportunities.

Being able to say yes more often instead of making up excuses as to why I can’t do something is very freeing.

Once you get over that hump of hesitation you realize, “Hmmm, well this really isn’t so bad is it.”

So, let’s talk about camping on your period and how I did it.

During the night we pull off and camp, but during the day we hung out in the different towns exploring and such, so I had access to actual bathrooms then. But I have no qualms with hopping outside and going to the bathroom, something you've got to do when camping.

It was beyond calm and relaxing, which is just what I needed for this phase of my cycle. And I don’t quite know what it is about being outside, listening to the rain or the birds chirping that reconnects me with nature. I just find myself feeling much more drawn to nature around my period.

What You Should Bring:

+A Menstrual Cup (forget about dealing with disposables and what to do with them)

+Period Underwear or Reusable Pads (backup that you don’t have to worry about disposing of)

+Reusable Water Bottles/Jugs (one for drinking and a few for washing hands, dishes, period underwear/cups that you can refill)

+A Small Tub (rinse out underwear or pads in if you’re not going to be around an actual bathroom)

+Soap or Hand Sanitizer (keep those hands clean)

+Comfy Clothes (tight clothes make cramps/bloating worse)

The moral of the story here is that you don’t need to, and shouldn’t, cancel trips, events, etc. because you’re going to be on your period. You just need to bring a few extra things along, that’s all.