Talk with the Period Doctor: A Spark for Internal Reflection (Syriana Etheart)

 

On Tuesday September 23rd, I had the opportunity to attend a talk with the Period Doctor, Dr. Charis Chambers. Prior to this talk, I had no idea who Dr. Chambers was. I simply gravitated to the opportunity of learning more about menstrual health from a healthcare professional. However, this talk was more than that. As Dr. Chambers spoke about her journey, I saw a bit of myself reflected in her experience. This immediately pulled my attention. I found myself captivated by her words. It lit a fire inside of me; it reminded me that I was where I was meant to be. 

Since the beginning of my junior year, I was plagued with the idea of what adulthood would look like. I was, and still am, worried that I’ll end up like countless adults who are tied to their money simply for a paycheck. I’m worried that all this work I put in will ultimately be worthless. With these thoughts, I’ve questioned myself countless times whether I should actually pursue dentistry or pursue that dream that the deepest parts of me knows that I want. Dr. Chambers expressed a similar sentiment as she explained how multiple people told her that she wouldn’t be able to maintain her social media brand while being a doctor. As she reflected this she said: “it’s hard living a life you weren’t called to do”. This truly struck me; the words kept replaying in my head. I believe hearing this statement from Dr. Chambers was like a wake up call. It had forced me to really sit with myself and actually consider the many paths I could go down in terms of my career. It reminded me of Slyvia Plath’s analogy of the Fig tree and how there are a multitude of possibilities of who someone can become, but there’s a heavy burden of choosing that path. I’m not yet at the point in which I can confidently say that I know the path that I will fully choose (in terms of my career), but I now know, just as Dr.Chambers said, that it’s crucial that I consider my own desires. 

I’m responsible for making a decision that will satisfy me, not society. Thus, I shouldn’t simply choose a career for the paycheck. Dr.Chambers did exactly that when she decided to combine her love for women’s health, content creation, and education. As stated before, she described being constantly discouraged by others in the medical field. Even a hospital she worked for didn’t take her seriously when she brought up a protection clause for her social media account. Dr. Chambers stated that she expected to be underestimated, but she was her “favorite advocate”. In fact, she credited her time at Spelman for providing her with the tools to navigate those types of spaces. I personally haven’t felt underestimated before simply because of my upbringing. My parents held me to a high standard, especially in school. I quickly became “the teachers favorite”, and thus people around me always saw me as highly capable. Now that I’ve left the bubble of my hometown, I know that this is no longer the case. As I enter new rooms with new opportunities, I’ll be viewed just like anyone else. This is a very humbling thought and tends to spark up feelings of inferiority, but listening to Dr.Chambers speak in front of me about her own journey has quelled those thoughts. Her advice of celebrating every win (no matter how small), protecting your peace, and always holding true to your morals has grounded me. I’m aware that as I navigate these next four years I’ll encounter countless struggles all while trying to understand who and what I want to become. However, I’m confident that just like Dr.Chambers and the other Spelman women that have come before me, I’ll make it happen.

Overall, I’m very grateful that I attended this event. I would’ve never thought that it would spark this kind of internal reflection regarding the journey I’m headed on. It was amazing to hear Dr. Chambers speaks on her personal journey of her professional career and how she came to be the person she is today. The lessons I’ve learned from this talk will continue to live on in my head as I navigate the world.

-Syriana Etheart