You’re sitting in the living room after the family brunch, having a cup of chai with your cousins when one of them asks if anyone has a pad. This provokes concern from another asking if she has cramps, which continues into a discussion about how women suffer each month. Each takes turns sharing about what their experience is like, and of course, there’s a cousin who is always listening but never contributes, perhaps feeling embarrassed that she’s even hearing this talked about in a group setting. Everyone expresses their frustration and feelings of isolation, until one person starts sharing tips on what has worked for them, only to have the others say they tried all of that and it still hasn’t worked. Nobody knows what to do, but they keep on carrying on the way they have since they started menstruating. Everyone leaves the conversation feeling hopeless, frustrated, and defeated - resigned to that suffering.

That’s where I come in - to help you shift this experience.

So many of us adult children of immigrants have been taught that we have to suffer in silence. That crying alone on the couch with a hot water bottle and popping pain killers is normal every month, and you just have to heal with it. Absolutely not!

No one teaches you that your body operates on four phases. No one highlights that you are actually the most aligned with yourself during menstruation.

The world is stressful. Cortisol is up. Your nervous system is on high alert. But what does this all mean for your cycle?

As a trauma-informed, multicultural therapist who identifies as a second-generation South Asian Muslim woman, I know what it means to live in between worlds. Many of us - adult children of immigrants - grew up internalizing the belief that our bodies were something to manage privately, quietly, and with as little disruption to others as possible. We absorbed that this is an inconvenience and something to even be ashamed about. We have been taught to make ourselves smaller to care for the needs of others, and that often leads us to not knowing what our needs are, physically or emotionally, or how to even begin to identify and meet them.

And that included our menstrual cycles. We were told to ignore the cramps, downplay the exhaustion, dismiss the brain fog and migraines. There was no room for the layers of our emotional and physical experiences - not at school, not at work, and often, not even at home. We were taught to just ‘power through’ and maybe even work harder to ensure that our productivity or purpose wasn’t disrupted or derailed.

But here’s the truth: your cycle does not have to be your enemy, It can be a companion. It’s a vital sign. It’s a built-in communication system between your brain and your body. And your mental health is deeply connected to it.

When we don’t talk about this, we can’t begin to have a different relationship with it, and thus, lose out on so much freedom and relief.

That’s why I created Syncing Cycles: Mental Health & Menstruation, an online workshop happening on July 12th, 2025 from 2–3:30pm PST. It’s a safe, culturally affirming space where we’ll explore the intersection of hormones, mood, and self-care - not just through science, but with compassion and community.

Why This Workshop Matters (Especially For Us)

Growing up in immigrant households often meant that survival was the priority. Our parents had to hustle and adapt to new systems, cultures, and expectations. Conversations about mental health, trauma, or cycle-related shifts in mood? Rare, or for many, non-existent. Conversations about building a life around your body’s natural rhythm? Unheard of. But we’re allowed to shift that narrative.

In this 90-minute workshop, we’ll pause the hustle. We’ll get curious about what your body has been trying to tell you for years. You’ll learn how to notice your internal seasons, how to support your mental well-being through each menstrual phase, and how to create a life that flows with, not against, our cycle. As a menstruating human, this workshop is for you!

This Isn’t Just About Periods. It’s About Power.

Your period is only one part of a complex, beautiful system. What many people don’t know is that the menstrual cycle is made up of four distinct phases: menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal. Each one impacts your mood, mental clarity, energy, and even your sense of belonging. And when we ignore those shifts—when we’re told to just “push through”—it’s no wonder we end up overwhelmed, exhausted, and out of sync with ourselves.

This workshop is about reclaiming that rhythm. It’s about reconnecting with your body’s wisdom and honouring your mental health as part of your cycle—not separate from it.

Who Is This Workshop For?

🔸 Menstruating people who want a culturally respectful space to talk about menstruation without shame, and the people who support them

🌍 Adult children of immigrants who grew up disconnected from their body’s signals and want to re-learn with care

🧠 Folks healing from trauma or mental health challenges who want to understand how hormones and cycles impact their emotional experience

💬 Therapists, educators, and wellness professionals who want to support clients from multicultural backgrounds more holistically

This workshop is open to anyone with a cycle or a curiosity about how menstruation affects mental health. You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to show up as you are.