My Story - From Band-Aids to Balance: Healing My Relationship With Health

Let’s talk about acne. It’s been part of my life since I was 8 years old - yes, 8. I’m not exaggerating when I say my earliest memories of acne involve my mom popping my pimples on the living room couch. I’d go to school the next day with a red, blotchy spot on my forehead, mortified but not fully understanding what was happening to my skin. 

At that age, it wasn’t terrible - just a pimple here and there. But things really ramped up when I hit 12 and puberty kicked into full gear. My body was changing, and so was my skin. By 14, I was desperate to get my acne under control - because hello the intimidating high school years began - so I went to a dermatologist. Their solution? Of course the one and only birth control. 

At first, it felt like a miracle. My acne cleared up almost overnight, and I was thrilled to finally have the skin I’d always dreamed of. What I didn’t realize was how much this little pill was altering my body’s natural rhythm.

Puberty is a pivotal time in life, where our bodies are learning to regulate themselves, both physically and emotionally. In hindsight, it’s no wonder that my hormones struggled to find their balance when I was overriding that process.

Here’s the thing: our bodies are always striving for balance - a concept known as homeostasis. And when we introduce something artificial to mask a symptom, our bodies often fight back, trying to restore equilibrium. Think of it this way: when we try to control everything with force, we disrupt the flow of energy that our bodies naturally want to follow. The true healing comes when we listen and flow with our bodies, rather than pushing against them.

After five years, I stopped taking birth control, and it was like my body was thrown into chaos. My hormones, having been on auto-pilot for so long, didn’t know how to find their own rhythm. I realized that healing didn’t come from quick fixes or band-aid solutions. It came from understanding the root causes and working in harmony with my body - just as feminine energy teaches us to do.

My journey to healing started with small changes: nurturing my body through thoughtful eating habits, experimenting with different exercises that felt good, and embracing self-compassion. I learned that health wasn’t about chasing perfection but about creating balance and honoring what felt right. The key to true health is tuning in to the ebb and flow of what my body needs at any given moment.

Then came another breakthrough. When I went to university, I noticed my skin clearing up. But when I moved back home, it flared up again. That’s when it hit me - my environment played a huge role. It wasn’t just about food or exercise; it was about the energy I surrounded myself with. 

This pattern continued when I began working from home. My skin worsened, and when I returned to working out of the house, it improved. I also transitioned into a career path that I loved. These moments taught me a profound lesson: health isn’t just about what we eat, but about nurturing the right energy, minimizing stress, and allowing ourselves to be in alignement with what feels good.

Over time, I started seeing my skin as a messenger - a sign from my body that something was out of alignment. For me, breakouts are my body’s way of saying “something is off”. Maybe for you, it’s your energy levels, digestion or mood. But the message is the same: listen to your body - trust yourself and your body’s wisdom. 

Then, I discovered cycle syncing - and it felt like a light bulb went off. Cycle syncing is about aligning your lifestyle with the natural rhythms of your menstrual cycle. Rather than fighting against your body’s hormonal shifts, you flow with them.

As I embraced this practice, my PMS symptoms significantly decreased. My stress levels dropped, I felt more energized, and my body - skin included - began to thrive once again. It made perfect sense to me: as women, our hormones shift throughout the month, so why wouldn’t our routines evolve in harmony with these cycles?

When I started cycle syncing, the changes were undeniable. My PMS symptoms reduced significantly. My stress levels dropped, I felt happier and more energized, and my body - skin included - started thriving once again. It made so much sense: as women, our hormones change weekly, so why wouldn't our routines? 

This approach ultimately led me to the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, where I learned that health is about so much more than diet and exercise. It’s about your environment, relationships, habits - everything. It all connects. Joshua Rosenthal, MScEd, founder of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, states a powerful premise about this concept: What’s off your plate has just as much impact on your health as the food on your plate; and given half a chance, the body can heal itself.

These days, I’ve found what works for me, but I’m still learning and evolving. Healing isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. The key is listening to yourself and being willing to adapt as your needs change, to ebb and flow with the natural cycles of life.

Are you ready to embrace your own rhythm, trust your body’s wisdom, and start honoring the beautiful, feminine energy that flows within you? Healing is about balance and alignment, not force. Let’s take this journey together.