• Skip to main content

Cycle Harmony

Create. Love. Flourish. Be.

  • Start Here
  • About
  • Blog
  • What’s New
    • Vaginal Discharge
    • Fertility and Pregnancy
    • PMS | PMDD
    • Period Symptoms
    • Menstrual Irregularities
    • Hormone Imbalance
    • Health and Healing
You are here: Home / Health and Healing / Red Tent / Becoming A Woman

Becoming A Woman

Last updated on March 9, 2018 By Vild P. Leave a Comment

We’re born small and helpless, we’re given names and a place in society. We do this all over the world, and you could say that it’s one of the things that make us human. We take an organic being of flesh and blood, and make it into a social being.

The Saami people of Northern Scandinavia used to sing a person into being. It wasn’t until a person had a tune of her own that she was a proper person. As a baby she would be given a name, but more importantly she would be given a very short tune that said who she was. This tune would be sung by people thinking about her whether she was there or not, and also after her death. It was this tune that made her real, that made her a person and a part of the clan.

The process of changing a something into a someone is also repeated several times in our lives as our social status changes. We are born and are given names by our families, go to school and get nicknames, get married and take our spouse’s name. Here in Norway it’s common for the wife to keep her own name, or for the husband to take his wife’s name. Why should she always take the man’s name, anyway?

The Saami changed their names if they didn’t fit, and some people would change names many times during their lives. I really like that idea. As we go through life, we might find that an identity is no longer representative. Changing a name can be a great way to embrace a new identity or stage of life.

Years ago, I felt that my name was horrible. I guess it was because I felt small and vulnerable, stupid and clumsy. I had low self-esteem and low self-worth. I doubted my right to feel joy and freedom. So I hung onto every derogative description of me that I heard, convinced that this was my truth.

Now, I love my name. It’s a fierce, strong name that I have made my own. It’s still the same name, but what I hear is loving and encouraging, it’s laughter and support. Now, my name means fellowship and experiences, journeys and adventures. My identity has changed so much over the years, and I find myself sending love and strength to the insecure girl that I once was.

Adolescence was a horrible time for me, and I am so grateful those years are behind me. For me, this journey has been about becoming woman. It’s been about learning to love myself, embracing my flaws as well as my strengths. It’s been about learning to know my cycles, my changes and my hopes and dreams. And about following my dreams, daring to think big and having the guts to go for it. Being the woman that I want to be, and refusing both the judgment and expectations of others.

That’s the someone I’ve become, a free woman. I think I’ll keep that name.

Vild Prestegard is an anthropologist, holistic therapist, Reiki master and public speaker based in Norway. She is a regular blogger for Cycle Harmony. You’re welcome to contact her at helhetligbehandling@gmail.com with questions and comments.

Image source

       

Related Posts

  • Red Tent Gathering
  • Nurturing the Woman Spirit Through Creativity
  • Ancient Egyptians and Being a Woman

Please help us educate other women in your circle. Thank you!

Hi, this is Jing. I created Cycle Harmony to share what I've learned to live in harmony with my body - and my life. Join us and share yours @facebook.com/cycleharmony!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

cycle harmony amazon store

Let’s Connect

Facebook Pinterest Youtube Envelope Rss

FACE YOUR PAIN

 

Vaginal Discharge

 

Fertility and Pregnancy

 

PMS/PMDD

 

Period Symptoms

 

Menstrual Irregularities

 

Hormone Imbalance

BEGIN TO HEAL

 

Menstrual Health

 

Menstrual Tracking

 

Mind Body Healing

 

Nutrition and Recipes

 

Healthy Lifestyle

 

Emotional Wellbeing

 

Relationships

 

Menstrual Myths and Rituals

 

Red Tent

LIVE IN THE FLOW

 

Create. Love. Flourish. Be.

 

ABOUT

 

About Cycle Harmony

 

Our Amazon Storefront

 

Contact Us

 

Connect with Us on Facebook

 

Site Map

CycleHarmonylogo150

Copyright © 2022 — CycleHarmony • All rights reserved. • Terms • Privacy Policy 

Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Jing Jin and her community. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

Disclosure: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.