You may have noticed my disappearing act this past weekend online, and I’m here to explain why I momentarily vanished.

I was reading a few articles this morning about skipping your period via hormonal birth control. I tried to do this once, years ago, failed, and decided not to do it again. A) It didn't work, and B) I just don't like the idea of not having my period.

Many of the benefits people talked about dealt with travel, other big events, and the fact that their gosh darn period always seems to get in the way.

I am one who always gets my period right before, or during, whatever trip or event is happening that month. And do you know what? It doesn’t phase me in the slightest any more.

My secret?

Learning to coexist with my period, to appreciate it, and to understand it.

Sounds a little too "frou-frou” for you?

Well, when I removed the “woe is me, oh period” frame of belief, I learned how accept my period. And when I got removed all of the negativity, I actually started to, dare I say, enjoy it.

I realized that it wasn’t the horrendous nuisance I once viewed it as, and I could go about my day, vacation, or whatever it was (because there’s always something going on) like it were any old regular day. Because that’s what my period became, a normal part of my regular life.

It was no longer the earth-shattering, "No! Not today! Why me?!" event I used to think it was.

This past weekend I left for San Francisco, on Day 1 of my cycle. Before leaving to jump on a plane, I made sure I had my cup in, period underwear on, and enough to get me through the weekend. Comfort and preparedness is key.

As for work, I had a VERY short list of things I HAD to get done while I was there, and I kind of let myself forget about the rest. Learning to prioritize tasks during my period is one of the greatest things I’ve done for myself. Realizing that I don’t have to do it all (sometimes even getting it all done ahead of time) makes life on my period go oh so smooth.

I let myself forget about all of the social media, blogging and emails for those few days. And do you know what? The world kept on spinning around and around.

Allowing myself to slow down, and even stop, during my period has been one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned. As soon as I stopped pushing myself past the point of necessity, and started listening to my body, my cycle, period, and life in general became much, much easier.

I remembered my cup, underwear, and forget about everything else, allowing myself to enjoy the moments I found myself in.

Back at home this week I've felt reinvigorated for my work, and I know this is from my mindset this weekend.

Start listening to you body. Start asking yourself, “Is this really something that I have to do? Or am I creating mindless busy work for myself?” Allow yourself to slow down in whatever areas need a break, and you might surprise yourself with extra bursts of energy throughout.