Chapter 1: Meet Your Cycle – A Built-In Superpower
📌 LESSON GOAL
BY THE END OF THIS LESSON,
you’ll understand how long a menstrual cycle usually lasts, what “normal” looks like (hint: it’s not the same for everyone), and how to start tracking your own cycle to get to know your unique rhythm.
💬 Let’s Break It Down
Your menstrual cycle is the number of days from the first day of your period to the day before your next period starts.
A full cycle can last anywhere from 21 to 35 days (but for most girls, it’s around 28 days). And here's the big truth: every body is different.
If your friend gets their period every 24 days, and yours comes every 31, that’s still totally normal. What matters most is that your body has its own rhythm — and the more you pay attention to it, the more powerful you’ll feel.
When you first start your period, your cycle might not be regular right away. It can take 1–2 years for your body to find its rhythm. So don’t stress if it’s a little off sometimes. That’s part of the journey.
🧠 Analogy: Your Cycle is Like a Train Schedule 🚂
Some trains come every 30 minutes. Others come every 45. The important thing is that they show up regularly.
If a train comes late once or twice, that’s okay. But if it’s always off or suddenly stops — that’s when it’s time to check in.
Your period works the same way — it might not be on the exact same day every month, but it should run on a regular route.
🤔 Critical Thinking Questions
How often does your cycle usually come? (If you don’t know yet, that’s okay!)
Why do you think everyone's cycle is different?
How could tracking your cycle help you plan your month or take better care of yourself?
What would you do if your cycle didn’t come for several months?
✍️ Journal Entry: “My Cycle, My Rhythm”
Write about what you know (or wonder) about your own cycle.
If you’ve started tracking, what patterns have you noticed?
If not, what do you want to learn about your body this month?
Then finish this sentence:
“Knowing my cycle helps me feel…”
👩👧 Activity with Family or Friends: Create a Cycle Tracker!
What You’ll Need:
Printable tracker, calendar, or journal
Colored pens or stickers
Optional: a parent or friend to track with!
What to Do:
Start on the first day of your period. Mark it with a symbol, color, or sticker.
Track your flow, energy, mood, and cravings each day.
Try it for 2–3 cycles and look for patterns.
🎯 What This Teaches: Building body awareness helps girls feel more connected, in control, and proud of their natural rhythms.
🧪 Real-Life Practice: Begin Tracking This Month
If you haven’t already, start your very first cycle journal or calendar.
Write down:
The first day of your period
How long it lasts
How you feel each week
🌟 Bonus: Use different colors for each season of the cycle — like blue for winter, green for spring, yellow for summer, and orange for fall!
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Add a short summary or a list of helpful resources here.