Online Reporter
Fadzayi Maposah
Correspondent
I have a particular obsession with time.
I value punctuality and hold a deep respect for those who share this trait.
As long as one tells me what time we will meet in time, see how many times I have used the word time in one sentence!
Time is truly at my fingertips, yet I often feel a sorry when I see people rushing through town and residential areas.
Now, let me clarify: I recognise that some people run for exercise.
However, I firmly believe that anyone sprinting amid the busy streets is not doing so for fitness.
How can one possibly exercise in such traffic congestion? The very act of running in these urban jungles suggests that they are late rather than working on their health.
It is not just about the chaos of the streets; it is also about what one wears.
There is simply no way to exercise in formal attire while clutching a handbag.
It only indicates that one is late and unprepared for wherever he or she should be at that moment.
I empathise deeply with those who struggle with punctuality.
It must be exhausting to rush and run when one could instead stroll leisurely.
I have observed that some people wake up early yet still leave their homes late.
They often overestimate how much they can accomplish in the time they have.
With too many tasks at hand, they find themselves scrambling to finish what should have been a well-planned routine.
The result is a flurry of activity, often accompanied by sharp words directed at those around them.
Then there is another group that wakes up late. They may hit the snooze button, allowing themselves a few extra moments of rest, only to realise, too late, that they are now racing against the clock.
Time is something we must always value. Once lost, it requires extra effort to make up for it, often resulting in the need to accomplish what could have been done with ease, now done in haste.
Being late has its own challenges.
It often leads to frantic adjustments, clothes that need straightening, appearances that need fixing, all while trying to catch one’s breath.
This chaotic dance is far from dignified.
If there is one aspect of my life where I have struggled with punctuality, it is my menstrual cycle.
When I was young, I eagerly anticipated the arrival of my first period, only to discover that time and my hormones did not align.
Hormones, as I often say, have no manners; they arrive when they please.
Waiting for a period that does not come is a shared experience among those who menstruate.
When it finally did arrive, I could not say if it was late or on time, as I had no set schedule for its arrival.
Periods came in abundance, and they continue to do so.
I have learnt to allow them to take their time, though I cannot help but recall the pressure I felt during menarche, when my first period took its sweet time to show up.
The late arrival of my period, by my then-distorted standards, led to some reproductive health nightmares.
Talking about these experiences has not only helped me but others as well.
Now, after more than three decades of menstruation, I realise that perhaps a delay of a few months or even years would have been ideal!
I have had my fair share of menstrual issues. The experience of having to show my sanitary supplies to medical professionals deserves recognition; their diligence and care are commendable.
To ensure that all health concerns were addressed, I was referred for a pap smear, which I dutifully attended. I believe in being proactive about my health, and this is no exception.
Today is my birthday. I find myself on the fifth floor of life, just two years shy of reaching the mid-point of this level.
If you are confused, read that statement again, I am not sharing my age!
Age, however, does not diminish the importance of reproductive healthcare.
Just because one is older does not mean health concerns become irrelevant.
The need for reproductive health care does not simply vanish when menstruation ends at menopause.
Though I may be on the fifth floor in terms of age, I refuse to put my reproductive health issues on the back burner.
It is essential to keep up with medical checks and ensure they are completed on time. I respect the body that carries me and am committed to caring for it properly.
If you see me rushing somewhere, it is likely a true emergency. Help me celebrate my birthday by doing what is right.
Do not rush; instead, take the time to prioritise your health with dignity.
Rushing has its drawbacks; it may leave you breathless and unable to ask important questions or absorb crucial information.
Let us all commit to being punctual and making time for our health issues. After all, prevention is always better than cure.
