Stained consists of self-portraits and symbolic imagery that represent my experience and feelings when menstruating.I've had complex menstrual cycles ever since childhood and I remember many of these cycles being exhausting and painful on my mental and physical health, and they still are. I've had periods that last three months where every day I have a heavy flow. We live in a period where women are praised for their resilience and strength, and many agree that women should feel proud of their bodies and all that they go through, as do I, but there are so many women and people with female reproductive systems that suffer in silence and often feel weak while menstruating. It is hard to feel proud of your body when during your menstrual cycle you are bedridden and withering in pain. I don't feel like women should be expected to always feel beautiful and proud of their bodies, although I applaud women who do, I am tired of pretending to be strong all the time. When I am menstruating, I am weak and exhausted. I feel as though I am constantly being stabbed in the abdomen and I know many others feel that same way. My images explore my personal journey dealing with menstrual discomfort and express that not all things involving the human female body must be pretty and beautiful to be normal.