Tag Archives: Confident carry of menstrual products

#ConfidentCarry – What Surprised Me

There were several surprises Friday, May 9 as I engaged in #confidentcarry. And, there were some in the days leading up to it.

I was surprised by those who did participate and by some who did not.

I was surprised that more women didn’t respond.

It surprised me that the reporter who broke the concealed carry story had no apparent interest in  sharing #confidentcarry with the mom or 17 year old daughter.

My daughter’s reaction and comments surprised me. As did my husband’s.  And, my mother’s…oh, they were precious!

The cold sweat that I broke out on my brow just before I stepped out my front door caught me by surprise.

The difficulty I had in choosing which products to #confidentcarry surprised me.  I thought I would just grab some pads / tampons / cup and head out.  But, no…I found that I wanted to go colorful.

My excitement was a surprise.

The confidence I felt as I went through with #confidentcarry was a total surprise – a wonderful surprise.  It made me more confident…more self-assure…more settled…more centered.

I was surprised that most people didn’t notice – not the huge overnight pad stuck to my back, the tampons in my pocket, the clear bag full of brightly colored products….

The fact that I wanted to continue to #confidentcarry (long after the pad slipped from my back early evening and refused to stick anymore) was a surprise.

The freedom I felt…the liberation and the openness surprised me.

The reactions of 3 men came as a complete surprise.

While I’m always comfortable in the feminine hygiene aisle, I was surprised that I felt so at home there.

It surprised me when I forgot that I was engaged in #confidentcarry and that there was a pad on my back. It felt natural – normal.

I was surprised that most people had a ‘so what?’ attitude toward public display of menstrual products…about #confidentcarry.

It came as a surprise when I actually felt different when #ConfidentCarry Day ended. I was surprised #ConfidentCarry changed me.

#ConfidentCarry – the biggest surprise is that it gave me a taste of what can be…should be.  And, that taste was delicious and demands more.

What surprised you about #confidentcarry?

#ConfidentCarry – My Experience: An Overview

#ConfidentCarry Day began rainy and gray with a heavy flow that surprised me by its early arrival. 

Rain and high humidity are not friendly where menstrual pads are concerned, as anyone who has worn them can attest.

The pad I planned to wear wasn’t to be worn beneath my clothing, against my body. No, it was going to be worn on the back of my shirt and across it would be written #ConfidentCarry. (Initially, I intended to wear two – one on the front and one on the back of my shirt – but the pad on the front refused to remain in place.)

Within a zip-top clear plastic bag I placed several brightly colored disposable pads (various brands/sizes), a cloth pad, a menstrual cup and a feminine hygiene wipe. This I carried in my hand, or under my arm like a clutch.

In the right back pocket of my black slacks I tucked 5 large tampons of various brands and colors. The pocket was shallow, and the tampons protruded above it.

My daughter agreed to accompany me to take pictures and to observe.

As I stepped out of the house and began my walk toward the car, I immediately felt like the whole world was watching. And, I wondered what anyone who saw thought of the pad on my back and the tampons in my pocket.

It was amazing how self conscious, exposed and vulnerable I felt. And, how my thoughts turned to what others would think.

A quick mention of this to my daughter brought this comment from her: “I doubt anyone noticed.  Everyone’s busy with their own things.  Nobody pays that close attention…really.”

Our first stop was Home Depot.  I needed to return a purchase.  That meant intentional interaction. It also mean I had to get out of the car with that large, overnight pad stuck to my back and walk through the parking lot and into the store.

This was about being intentional, so I chose the path that took me by the maximum number possible.  The idea was to be seen…for #ConfidentCarry to be noticed and the idea picked up, processed and passed on I had to be seen.

The customer service rep who assisted me was a young woman, early 20’s.  I handed her the item I was returning and placed my clear bag on the counter in front of her. It received a quick glace and nothing more.

Everywhere I went (Home Depot, Subway, McDonald’s, Walmart, Kroger, Zaxby’s, Office Depot…) I received similar reactions from women – a glance and then it was business as usual. Occasionally, I would pass women who would pause in conversation – evidence that the pad on my back had been seen for what it was – but only briefly and then they would pick up where they were and go on.  And, there was the occasional picture taker who pretended to be texting while holding the phone in camera mode. 😉

The only real interesting reactions were from males.  And, that surprised me.  When I say males, I’m not referring to little boys or teenagers.  I’m talking about grown men…men in their 20’s and older.

And, there was a group of young teen girls who were chattering away until I walked up with my plastic bag containing products, a pad on my back and tampons protruding from my pocket.  As I passed them, I watched their expressions. First, there was surprise.  Then, there was disbelief. Then, I noted discomfort as they glanced around to see who else might see. Then there was questioning: Should I feel embarrassed?  And, then…oh, then there were smiles!

There’s no way I can cover my #ConfidentCarry experience in one post.  There’s just too much to share.

Consider this post an overview.  In the next few days additional posts will follow that will share more of what I learned through #confidentcarry.

Please, if you participated in #confidentcarry, share your account.  Email me at Suzan @ periodwise.com, tweet @periodwise, comment to me on Facebook – provide your story, links to your pictures, etc.

If you chose not to participate I’d like to hear from you, too.  Share your thoughts on why #confidentcarry wasn’t for you this year and if you’d be open to it next year.