If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that this week one of those things happened. You know, when your period decides to go ALL OVER the place. In public. Where you can’t “fix” it. It wasn’t the first time (during a job interview, anyone?) and it probably won’t be the last.
I ended up going to Rivers after this and buying a pair of soft pants a few sizes too big. They’re really comfy! I took them to the toilets to get changed and head back to work for the day.
Before the majority of the shops opened at 9am, I ducked into Terry White Chemists and bought two things:
I love their $1 “I Need” range. I bought the face wipes to clean myself up a bit, and the nail clippers as scissor substitute to cut the labels off of new clothes (and spare nail clippers never go astray).
While all of this sucked, I was able to deal with it. But what if you were homeless or at risk of being homeless? What do you do about the expense of sanitary products? How do you clean up?
It’s In The Bag
I heard about #itsinthebag a while ago. You can read all the details here, but basically they provide sanitary items to women who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. Their Christmas campaign encourages you to fill an unused handbag with useful items and a friendly note. They will collect and distribute them to women in need.
I’m always op shopping for bags and donating old ones, so this campaign is right up my alley. I had already planned to make up a few bags and donate when it starts in mid-late November, but with my small story this week, I wanted to share this a bit further and wider. And also, suggest that you go to Terry White for their $1 I Need range. I’ve been buying their stuff for a while now and it’s pretty good for $1!!
(FYI: I’m not affiliated with Share the Dignity, nor Terry White, Target or whoever else I have mentioned in this post. It’s merely a bizarre kind of serendipity and using my blog for some kind of good, or so I hope. I just love simple but really effective campaigns and would love for you to participate if you are able to. If you can’t, that’s cool. But maybe a share of the Share the Dignity link or one of their social media statuses about the campaign.)
I love the idea of the ‘Need’ range. What a great idea! I’m not great at ‘stocking up’ on stuff so I’m always running out of things and just needing this or that!
I love that it’s $1 too. There’s no need for basics to be expensive so I think it’s a great idea and I hope they keep it.
I am currently writing a post about the same thing, just love this way to help others. xx N
It’s so great, isn’t it?
It’s such a great cause, I cannot imagine being unable to afford something I needed so much.
I literally wouldn’t know what to do. Do you even leave the house? I wouldn’t know how.
Good for you, changing a slightly embarrassing story into compassion for others (although I acknowledge that you were already on the cause). Your story really brings it home. I have had problems before – not necessarily a full spill, but the constant fear of it as I’ve suffered really heavy periods – the kind you can’t even go to work with (I’m lucky I work somewhere I feel totally comfortable but if I was more corporate I’d be screwed). Imagining that you couldn’t afford what you needed would suck so much. These women deserve their basic dignity. I have always thought about donating and I reckon I will soon – thanks for reminding me.
It’s a great campaign. So many things seem impersonal (like the people on the street who want you to sign up for a direct debit) or ridiculously expensive (like the raffles that start at $20 for a ticket) and I really like that this is both personal and simple.
Sounds like a great cause, and one that I will be looking into further. Thanks for bringing it to my attention 🙂
This will be my first year participating in it, so I’m looking forward to it.
Good one Vanessa..I did see your posts but I “did” not linger…LOL. Thanks so much for linking up today for Life This Week.
I absolutely love Share The Dignity, such an amazing organisation. I do often wonder how those who are homeless or disadvantaged cope. It’s expensive enough with GST charged on sanitary products (nice one, male government leaders).
I found you via Open Slather 🙂
Cheers,
Louise @ WillungaWino.com
You handled that situation well! I would have had a little meltdown. I don’t even really know why, considering it’s just life, but it’s one of those nightmare scenarios that you don’t want to find yourself in.
Meanwhile, I don’t know how homeless women handle it. I’ve given to campaigns like this before, so it might be time to find a similar one here in San Francisco/
I’d love to get invovled with this. Have to look into it. People in need deserve Christmas pressies too! Terry White makes it affordable to do, with bargains like that xx
I’ve heard about Share the Diginity before but thanks for the reminder, you’ve inspired me to get some things together to donate
I hadn’t heard of this initiative before – what a great idea. I’m off to cull my handbags so I’m ready for November!
I have always worried about how far less priviledged women deal with their period. It’s just awful not to have access to hygeine.
#itsinthebag is a great initiative. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.