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(All things hormones, birth control, toxic-free living, and self advocacy)
My 2022 Word of the Year Is....

whether it's a resolution, goal, or word of the year, you likely have something you're thinking of for the new year. 

You know when teachers tell you to choose your gut choice on a test because it's usually the right answer? Or you just have some feeling in your gut that you go with and it ends up being the right decision? My word of the year came to me very easily as I was thinking about it and I honestly didn't think I was really ready for it! It was crazy and I couldn't think of another one at the time, so we're sticking to it and seeing where it takes us. It was like I didn't have to think about it and my brain and gut just knew what it was. 

Hope. 

Do I know what it means for me quite yet? Nah. I have some things in mind for what I think it might mean and what I want it to mean. We'll see what the year has in store for me. 

The Merriam-Webster definition of hope is "to want something to happen or be true and think that it could happen or be true." I think a lot of people, myself included, only think hope encompasses the first part of that definition of wanting something to happen or be true. But look at that second part.. Do you really think that all of the things you hope for could actually happen or be true? Or are you just focused on the wanting part of it? 

When you hope for a smooth transition off birth control, what emotions come to mind? Usually when I hope for something, my gut reaction is fear of what if it goes wrong? What if I mess up? What if x, y, z happens? 

How about we change that narrative? What if it goes right? What if I figure out what works for me to reregulate my hormones? What if I'm able to finally get off birth control and never have to be on it again? What if I could actually heal my body? 

Sound better? I think so! 

Whatever your word or resolution or goal for this year, I'd like you to sprinkle a little bit of hope into it. Even though I claim this as my word of the year, I'm more than happy to share a little bit of it with you guys! I'm also fully supportive of you if this is the year you finally ditch your birth control. You deserve it, your body deserves healing, and you deserve the support I wish I had when I was getting off. Know that I'm here for you in whatever capacity that means for you. Let's do this!! 

Cheers to 2022 and all the hope it brings with it! Let me know in the comments below what your word/resolution/goal for 2022 is! There might just be a special surprise for a lucky commenter ;)
Just so you know, I may earn a commission off the links on my blog at no cost to you through various affiliate programs. I appreciate your support and love sharing my favorite products with you! :)

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Just so you know, I may earn a commission off the links on my blog at no cost to you through various affiliate programs. I appreciate your support and love sharing my favorite products with you! :)

I Felt Out of Balance

 

It all started with small rashes under my armpits. They grew bigger. They were fiery red. They burned. I couldn’t itch them since they burned so bad. They flaked. They were embarrassing. I didn’t know what they were. Then they showed up on the crook of my elbow and on the top of my right hand. I thought it might be due to a gluten or dairy intolerance, so I changed my diet. It helped temporarily and my rashes didn’t hurt as bad and weren’t as red. But diet changes weren’t enough. I was devastated. My rashes remained for MONTHS!

Then the "fluff" showed up around my belly and hips. Maybe the start of winter contributed as well; either way I swear my pants used to fit me way better…

My hair started falling out. In chunks! I’d always had some hairs come out when I washed my hair, so I was used to it. But not to this extent. I knew something was going on.

My acne became out of control, almost to the extent when I was in high school. Red, painful, cysts that I just couldn’t resist picking. And here I had spent all these years at the dermatologist “healing” my acne for it all to come back with a vengeance.

I was in tears at least once a week. I felt hopeless. I felt so alone. No one could relate besides one girl I followed on Instagram. My boyfriend was supportive, but how could he understand though? He had no idea what I was going through.

I took a deep breath, wiped my tears and trucked on. Then the next week would start all over again with a meltdown because I was fat, my hair was falling out, my acne was returning, and my rashes burned SO. FREAKING. BAD. I was angry, frustrated, confused & hopeless. 

I had heard that stopping birth control could come with some pretty gnarly symptoms. And I thought I was ready for whatever would happen. But I didn’t realize how mentally and emotionally challenging these symptoms would be.

Like many people, I started taking birth control in high school. I took it mostly for my acne, but pregnancy prevention was nice too. My hormones were manipulated for over 7 years. The birth control was prescribed by my doctor, so why would I ever question how it was affecting my body?

Turns out, I had NO idea just how much it affected me. All of me. It wasn’t until I read this book that I understood how much my body was impacted by these synthetic hormones that I didn't even realize were synthetic at the time. How hormonal birth control can be prescribed to “treat” certain conditions, yet it’s really only a bandaid fix. I didn’t want that bandaid fix anymore and I wanted to heal myself naturally. So I took the leap and ditched my birth control.

Aside from some of the challenges of getting off birth control, I noticed a whole new world of positives that came from it. For the first time in my life, I actually had energy! I no longer needed to sleep half the day away. The mental fog was gone! My mood increased, as well as my libido, which I swear was gone for good. I finally felt like I was in control of my health for the first time. Truly healthy and truly better.

My goal is to be that shining beacon of light for you if you are struggling with the decision to finally get off hormonal birth control. You are not alone in worrying how your body will react. You are not alone in this transition and your experiences. It might be challenging. But we are strong. We are healers. We are self-advocates. And only we know what’s best for our bodies.

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