Academia and Mental Support, or the Lack of It...

Let’s talk about something that’s been bothering me for a while now: the lack of mental support for women working in academia. As someone who’s been in this world, I’ve seen it all too often. Women feel like they have to show up at the same performance level, day in, day out, even during the low-energy days of their cycle.

Let me ask you: How is it 2025, and we’re still expected to show up every single day with the same energy levels as men? I’ll tell you how—because academia was created by and for men, with their 24-hour energy cycle in mind. But guess what? WOMEN ARE CYCLICAL beings. Our energy doesn’t renew every 24 hours like theirs does. So why, in this day and age, are we still expected to operate like we don’t have cycles & rhythms?

And don’t even get me started on the lack of support. Where are the programs that actually address women’s anatomical needs in the workplace? Sure, there are plenty of programs for students and staff, but when you actually try to seek help? Good luck. You’re told to either suck it up, or worse: “Oh darling, don’t stress, it’ll pass.” Like that’s ever helped anyone with depression or burnout before!

So, to all my fellow wild women out there: Next time someone questions you about why you took a day off, or why you had a slower, less productive day, DO NOT feel ashamed to speak the truth. Bring up the fact that you are cyclical. You’re not built to perform like a machine, day in and day out, without rest.

We were not put on this earth to burn out, be tamed, or forced to conform to outdated systems. We were born to ROAM FREE, to be in tune with our natural rhythms. We are cyclical beings, not robots on a never-ending grind. It’s time to RECLAIM what’s rightfully ours—our energy, our boundaries, our freedom.

So, I’m inviting you—LET’S RISE TOGETHER and call this nonsense out. Reclaim your power, your feminine energy, and the right to show up as you—in all your glory, on your terms. IT’S TIME TO ROAR, TO RISE UP and let the world know that we are done with the bullshit!

P.S. Keep the words flowing and the coffee brewing - fuel the huntress! ☕