Finding My Flow: A Journey to Health, Balance, and Self-Care through Chinese Medicine

Finding My Flow: A Journey to Health, Balance, and Self-Care through Chinese Medicine

As a Chinese Malaysian woman growing up in Johor, Malaysia, I never imagined that my seemingly "trivial" health issue—irregular periods—would eventually lead me on a transformative journey toward holistic wellness, self-love, and balance. My story may resonate with other women, especially those who, like me, have felt the pressures of balancing personal well-being with academic, professional, and social expectations.

Ignoring the Signs

I started getting my period at 14, and it was unpredictable from the start. Some months, I wouldn’t have one; other times, it would come without warning. Like many women around me, I shrugged it off as “normal.” My family and I tried various folk remedies—Chinese black chicken tonic pills, evening primrose oil, and whatever helpful advice my aunties offered. Sometimes they seemed to help, sometimes not, but I never prioritized getting to the root of the problem. Without plans for pregnancy, I didn’t see an irregular period as a “real” issue.

Then, at 19, I left Malaysia for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. My periods became even more sporadic: sometimes once a month, other times only once a quarter, or even twice a year, without any apparent rhyme or reason. I started to worry, so I did what many of us do—I turned to online forums. To my surprise, I found that many other women were dealing with the same thing, often dismissing it as an inconvenience rather than a health concern.

Realizing Something Was Wrong

Despite the general nonchalance I found online, I knew deep down that something was off. I felt out of sync with my own body, like I wasn’t in harmony with its natural rhythm. Eventually, I went to the student clinic, where a doctor ran a hormone test. When my results came back “normal,” I was offered birth control pills to regulate my cycle. But something didn’t sit right. I asked if the pills would be a long-term solution, but they didn’t have an answer, suggesting only that I come back if my period disappeared again.

After one dose, my period returned—lightly—but soon fell back into its old irregular pattern. I gave up on finding a fix, telling myself it was something I’d address “later.”

Burning Out and Breaking Down

Years later, I moved to Boston for my first job in insurance. I was living a busy life, balancing a demanding job, 12 to 15 hours of weekly volunteer work, and an endless string of hobbies. I was in my early twenties, single, and constantly on the go, trying to fill my days with activities and meaning. My days started early, ended late, and often included 2 a.m. bedtimes. I had also recently become vegetarian, experimenting with plant-based cooking on a tight budget and even tighter schedule.

One day, at a health fair, I met my mentor, a volunteer at the Tzu Chi Foundation, who kindly offered me a free consultation. Listening to my story, he pointed out something I hadn’t considered: my menstrual health was a reflection of my overall wellness. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), I was burning the candle at both ends. My body, he explained, was constantly in “fight or flight” mode—draining my reserves of what TCM calls Kidney energy, which acts as a reserve battery for our body’s vital functions, including reproduction.

Learning to Find Balance

In TCM terms, I was blood and yin deficient. My late nights were preventing my liver from producing blood on its essential shift (11 p.m. to 2 a.m.). Coupled with my rigorous schedule and my “light” vegetarian diet, I was burning through my body’s yin, the energy that grounds, restores, and balances us. Without proper rest and nutrition, I wasn’t giving my body the resources it needed to regulate itself.

With my mentor’s guidance, I began making lifestyle changes—small but profound steps toward balance. I shifted my diet to include more grounding, local ingredients, and worked on my sleep hygiene. Slowly, I let go of my need to fill every moment with activity and allowed myself to rest.

As I integrated these changes, my menstrual cycle gradually became more regular, and my energy levels stabilized. For the first time, I felt truly connected to my body. I realized that taking time to recharge wasn’t just a luxury but a necessity.

Rediscovering Myself through Chinese Medicine and Daoist Philosophy

Inspired by this journey, I began learning more about Chinese medicine and the Daoist philosophy that underpins it. At its core, Daoism teaches that life knows how to flow naturally and that our bodies and souls possess a wisdom beyond words. TCM seeks to restore balance within us, harmonizing our inner rhythms with the cycles of nature and our environment.

Daoist philosophy taught me that harmony begins within: when we align our emotions and actions with our inner rhythms, we find balance not just in ourselves but in our relationships, our communities, and even the world around us.

Empowering Myself—and Others

This experience was a wake-up call. I realized that my health isn’t just a background detail to be managed or ignored until I “have time.” Our menstrual health, our energy levels, and even our moods are signals—if we listen, they guide us toward the changes our bodies need.

As women, it’s crucial that we talk openly about menstrual health and fertility with our family members and loved ones. Too often, we see these issues as personal or insignificant, yet they can serve as important alarms for our overall well-being. I encourage you to honor these signs as reminders to nurture and take better care of yourself. If you, or anyone you know, is facing similar challenges, I’d love to help. Visit www.healerhui.com to book a session and begin your journey to balance and wellness.

Today, I feel empowered, aligned, and deeply grateful for the insights I’ve gained from Chinese medicine. It’s my hope that my story can remind other women of the importance of tuning into their bodies, trusting their intuition, and finding harmony within. Balance isn’t a goal we reach; it’s a state we nurture continually, through every decision we make about rest, nourishment, and self-compassion.

To any woman who feels out of sync, who’s carrying the weight of “shoulds” and “musts,” I say: pause, breathe, and listen. You may find that your body, like mine, holds the wisdom you need to find your flow.