This article has been researched and written by Arelang Naturals^® in-house writers.

Embarking on the Journey of Womanhood: A Tale of Courage, Resilience, and Empowerment

Every year, International Women's Day serves as a poignant reminder of women's undying spirit and remarkable contributions worldwide. In this heartfelt exploration, we delve into the awe-inspiring journey of the female body throughout a lifetime, a journey marked by heroic feats and profound resilience.

Women are the very embodiment of strength, resilience, and adaptability. From infancy to the golden years of wisdom, women navigate a complex landscape of roles and responsibilities, their bodies serving as vessels of life and love. On this International Women's Day, we honour the extraordinary voyage of the female form, a journey that encompasses triumphs, trials, and transformative growth.

Even amidst the wear and tear that life may inflict upon the female form, women persist in embodying qualities akin to those of superheroes across the spectrum of their roles. Whether caring for loved ones, leading in their professions, or nurturing communities, women consistently showcase resilience and empathy, often without recognition. Despite grappling with the complexities of hormonal shifts, reproductive health challenges, and the demanding rigours of childbirth and raising children, women persevere and thrive in their endeavours. We stand in awe and salute the inherent strength of the woman and her ability to overcome all her challenges, at every age and at every stage, with grace and poise.

Development Milestone 1:

The journey of a woman's body begins in infancy, marked by rapid growth and development. From birth, her body adapts to new experiences with grace. As she grows, her body changes, preparing her for puberty. During puberty, visible changes like breast growth and widening hips occur, alongside internal changes getting her ready for her first period. Puberty brings hormonal shifts, leading to physical and emotional changes like irritability, sadness,insecurity, discomfort . They begin to experience a rush of sexual and romantic feelings, which are confusing and overwhelming as they navigate through puberty. Fumbling through the confusion a young woman emerges from adolescence with a newfound sense of confidence, ready to embrace the future. The first sign of how strong women are ;)

The Fertility Milestone:

In the prime of womanhood, fertility takes centre stage as women embark on the path of sexual activity and motherhood. During pregnancy, the surge in hormonal levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone, can lead to a rollercoaster of emotions for women. Mood swings are common, with feelings oscillating between excitement, happiness, and anticipation to moments of irritability, anxiety, and sadness. Heightened emotional sensitivity often accompanies these changes, with women finding themselves more easily moved by everyday events. Anxiety arises from concerns about the baby's health, childbirth, and the responsibilities of parenthood. Occasionally, women also experience bouts of depression, varying in intensity. However, amidst these challenges, there are also moments of profound joy, anticipation, and connection with the unborn child, creating a complex emotional landscape for expectant mothers to navigate. With all these changes, women walk through life like nothing ever happened! If that is not the epitome of strength and resilience, we wonder what is!

The New Life Milestone:

With the birth of her baby, a woman experiences the most joyful moment of her life. The release of oxytocin, often referred to as the "love hormone," will induce feelings of euphoria, intense love, and bonding with the newborn. Endorphins, natural pain-relieving hormones, will also contribute to feelings of relief and elation following the birthing process. However, alongside these positive emotions, women also feel exhaustion, vulnerability, and overwhelming relief after the challenging experience of labour. Overall, the hormonal changes during childbirth create a mix of emotions, from joy and awe to exhaustion and vulnerability, as women navigate the profound experience of bringing new life into the world. However, a lot of women often experience a decline in their uplifting neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine because of sleep deprivation, lifestyle changes, leading to postpartum depression and anxiety. Despite its challenges, she faced childbirth fearlessly. If not courage, what could possibly define such resilience?

Despite the physical and emotional changes, women persevere with unwavering strength. Whether they receive support or not, they navigate life with dignity and efficiency, embodying true substance and resilience.

Entering the Transition Phase:

As women approach their late thirties and early forties, she undergoes emotional fluctuations such as increased sensitivity, mood swings, and occasional feelings of anxiety or stress, how to navigate career goals, relationships, family planning decisions and what not. It is because their bodies start producing less progesterone. However, every woman's experience can vary. While one month might feel normal, the next could bring unwelcome symptoms like trouble sleeping, night sweats, mood swings, bloating, and anxiety. This doesn't always mean it's the start of perimenopause, though many women in this age group might think so. It's simply the beginning of the winding down of their reproductive years. Despite the emotional turbulence, she navigated through it with resilience, embracing the changes with grace and strength.

Navigating Perimenopause:

It's important to understand that some women won't notice any changes until their periods stop altogether. But for others, the journey can be more complex and challenging. During this period, women find themselves alternating between feelings of elation and irritability. These fluctuations can be unpredictable and may occur without any apparent trigger. Alongside mood swings, many women experience increased irritability and a reduced tolerance for stress. Everyday challenges that were once manageable now feel overwhelming. They start worrying more than usual, whether it's about their health, their changing bodies, or the future.This transition marks the end of their reproductive years and can evoke complex emotions about ageing, identity, and femininity. Despite these unwanted transitions, she stands strong for herself and her loved ones. If this is not resilience, then what is it? .

Embracing Menopause:

When women reach menopause, their ovaries stop producing hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and possibly DHEA. Menopause represents the end of a woman's reproductive years, which can evoke feelings of loss or grief for some women. On the other hand, some women may experience a sense of empowerment and liberation during menopause, viewing it as a natural and liberating transition to a new phase of life. They may feel a sense of relief from the challenges of menstruation and contraception and embrace the freedom to focus on other aspects of their lives. Whether feeling sadness and vulnerability or empowerment and liberation, it's a phase which each woman embraces with resilience and strength.

Facing Hormonal Changes Together:

We believe that no woman should have to deal with the effects of hormone imbalance alone. We aspire to journey alongside every woman, celebrating the unique stages of her life with unwavering strength and empowerment. Introducing Rekindle for Women dark chocolates by Caim by Arelang—your companion through the highs and lows of your hormonal journey. Made with potent plant-based ingredients, these chocolates support your body's natural rhythms, helping you navigate hormonal changes with ease.

As we celebrate women's resilience and strength, let's also honor their journey through the ages. From managing their bodies to breaking societal barriers, women have faced every challenge with unwavering determination. They've nurtured families, overcome obstacles, and left an indelible mark on the world with courage and compassion. It is important to identify this and uplift and support each other. Be the woman who supports other women. Be the woman who stands up for other women. Be the woman who understands why another woman did what she did. Be the woman who loves other women.

This International Women's Day, let's salute the superheroes among us—women whose spirit and efforts continue to inspire and uplift us all. Happy International Women's Day!