The Stratagem’s Archive

Category: Lifestyle Experiments

  • My Personal Experiment with Primal Queen: My 4-Month Update

    Disclaimer: I’m Not a Medical Professional — Just Sharing My Experience

    I’ve been taking Primal Queen for about 4 months now. As I mentioned in my previous posts, this is not a silver bullet, I’m not a medical professional, and I’m not using this supplement as a replacement for sleep, nutrition, or exercise. Life has been chaotic, and my routine is… well, let’s just say “imperfect”:

    I don’t always sleep enough or consistently.

    I stay up late far too often.

    I love sweets more than I love vegetables.

    I work out 2–3 times a week while juggling two jobs.

    My energy levels, mood, and days off are all over the place.

    Basically, I’m not exactly a poster child for “ideal supplement results.”

    And that’s okay.

    Why I Started Taking Primal Queen

    The primary reason I started taking it — aside from my Ma’s recommendation — was for my menstrual cycles.

    I wanted something that might help regulate them, reduce bloating, and make my cramps more manageable.

    No illusions here: I wasn’t expecting to suddenly climb walls like Toby McGuire’s Spider-Man (I still have my astigmatism with 19/19 vision and slightly bent glasses, and I still struggle to lift heavy awkward freight at work without feeling winded).

    But I figured, maybe it could help me function a little better during my cycle, which is already a huge quality-of-life improvement.

    What’s Changed After 4 Months

    Here’s what I’ve noticed since starting Primal Queen:

    • Cycle consistency: My period now lasts 5 days every time, with roughly 21-day gaps between cycles.
    • Bloating: Reduced significantly — I’m not waddling around like a balloon by day 2 anymore.
    • Cramps: Down to a 1–2 on the pain scale, manageable enough that I can still go about my day.
    • Flow: Less heavy, no worrying about leaks — practical wins for real life.
    • Mood: Irritable when I have to do things I don’t want to do, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t always a little irritable anyway.

    Even on days when I haven’t eaten enough, slept enough, or exercised, which is often, I can still notice these improvements.

    That’s the biggest surprise. It doesn’t magically fix everything, but it gives my body a little more support to handle the chaos.

    What Hasn’t Changed

    I’m still working two jobs, working long shifts, sweating in Hawaii heat while wearing pants and a pullover because I’m a psychopath.

    My strength and stamina are still a far cry from superhero threat levels.

    My eyesight is the same — sadly, no Marvel-level upgrade here.

    But that’s okay.

    I didn’t start this expecting Spider-Man improvements. I started it to take care of myself in one tiny, practical way, and that’s exactly what it’s doing.

    Key Takeaways

    1. Supplements aren’t magic — your daily habits, stress, sleep, and diet still matter.

    2. Even with imperfect routines, small improvements can make a big difference.

    3. Tracking your results (even humorously, like my Spider-Man comparisons) helps you notice subtle wins.

    4. Consistency matters more than perfection — taking it “mostly every day” is enough to see changes.

    Optional Reflection

    • What small improvements in your routine have made the biggest difference for you?
    • Have you tried supplements in a chaotic life?
    • What results actually mattered?
    • How do you measure your “wins” when your life is messy?

    If You Made It to the End

    Hey, thanks for sticking with me all the way through! I put this work out there for myself, but it means a lot when someone actually reads it.

    If you’d like to show you were here and get what I mean about juggling life, cycles, and experiments, tap the Tiny Wave button below.

    Tiny Wave 👋

    No pressure at all — supporting the Archives is completely optional. Even a small click tells me a real person stopped by and that these reflections land with someone.

    If not, feel free to like, subscribe, or share this post if it resonates with you or reminded you of someone doing a similar personal experiment.

    Check Out My Other Primal Queen Posts

    Explore The Archives Here

    The best place to start anything is from the beginning. Below you can check out my start here page, explore whichever articles peak your curiosities—from personal finances on a low income, personal strength training without a gym, video games and the lessons they unexpectedly provide, or thought experiments—feel free to see what exists below.

  • Fitness For Chaotic Human Lives: How to Get Strong When Life is Chaotic

    If you’ve tried to stay consistent but keep feeling like you’re “starting over” because your work schedule, energy levels, or life responsibilities keep shifting — this PDF is for you.

    Why This ISN’T Your Typical Workout PDF

    This isn’t another workout PDF.

    There are exercises inside it, but they aren’t instructions or prescriptions.

    This is a 5 page reflection, including a reflective questionnaire, on how I’ve trained across changing jobs, energy levels, injuries, and mental load — and how I stopped treating inconsistency as failure.

    The goal was to become gentler when things got messy and to not treat inconsistencies, low energy, or injuries as moral or discipline problems.

    Functional Strength, Mobility, and Capability Options You Can Adapt—No Gym Required.

    If you’re looking for something to follow along with step by step, the first Chaotic Life Strong Exercise Flows  may be more your speed.

    It has a few follow along exercise flows inside that can be done between 15-30 minutes, depending on how much energy you have left.

    Although, if you’re trying to understand how to keep your fitness goals alive when life won’t slow down, and your not “starting over,” then this one was written for you.

    Fitness For Chaotic Human Lives PDF

    Fitness For Chaotic Human Lives PDF: reflection and questionnaire for training with inconsistent schedules.

    Tried this PDF? Even a tiny wave lets me know it reached someone. Optional support is here .

    Tiny Wave 👋

    If you found value in it and want to help keep it available, optional support is here 🌊.

  • My 1-Month Primal Queen Experiment: Tracking Real Results and Supplement Effects 2 Weeks In

    Author’s Note:

    Primal Queen is a women’s health supplement. This post is NOT sponsored—I found it because my Ma swears it helped her hot flashes, so naturally, she shoved it in my face. I’m giving it a try.

    I’m not a medical professional, and everything here is my experience only. Fellow archivists, take notes, experiment safely, and remember—your body might have a totally different story.

    Why Am I Talking About a Women’s Health Supplement?

    Simple. Thanks for asking!

    1. If you’ve been following The Stratagems Archive, you know I’m an asexual woman exploring all kinds of things—from finances to video games to life hacks. Health counts.

    2. My family and I have tried supplements over the years to fill gaps: energy, focus, nutrients, etc. When my Ma handed me Primal Queen, I decided—what the hell, let’s see if this thing does what it says.

    So here I am, experimenting.

    What Was Primal Queen Supposed to Do?

    According to the marketing hype (and that tiny insert that comes with it), Primal Queen promises to:

    • Increase energy & vitality
    • Elevate mood
    • Reduce iron deficiencies
    • Support sex drive (ha!)
    • Boost immune system
    • Reduce stress & menstrual cramps
    • Promote healthy skin & delay aging
    • Improve muscle function & recovery
    • Balance hormones & menstrual flow

    …And a bunch more. Basically, if this supplement doesn’t make me a superhero, I’m gonna be disappointed. But okay, you can see why I was skeptical, right?

    What Have I Noticed So Far?

    I started taking Primal Queen October 27, 2025. My November cycle? November 2–7.

    Normally, I:

    • Feel sluggish, bloated, or low-energy before and during my cycle
    • Cramp so hard I want to punch someone in the face
    • End up moody, irritable, and basically done with the world

    This month? Not so much.

    Here’s the kicker: I know what my “good months” feel like, so I wasn’t ready to credit a supplement just yet. I asked myself:

    • Am I sleeping better?
    • Eating more regularly?
    • Drinking more water?
    • Getting sunlight or working out more?

    Some yes, some no. So maybe Primal Queen is doing something—or maybe I just got lucky. Time will tell.

    Quick Data Check

    Category

    This Month

    Last Month

    Started/Ended

    11/2/25-11/7/25

    TBA

    Bloating

    None

    TBA

    Cramps (0-10)

    0

    TBA

    Flow

    Light

    TBA

    Cycle length

    5 days

    TBA

    Energy dips

    During lunch

    TBA

    Mood

    Tired/irritable

    TBA

    Sleep quality

    Low quality

    TBA

    How I’m Doing This Experiment

    Plan:

    • Take Primal Queen for 1 full month.
    • Stop for 1 month.
    • Compare my experience and see if I fall into the 9/10 who benefit or the 1/10 who don’t.

    I’ll be keeping notes and reflections along the way.

    Reflection for Fellow Archivists

    Here’s where I break the 4th wall and talk to you:

    • Have you ever tried supplements for energy, mood, or cycles?
    • How did it feel—physically, mentally, emotionally?
    • Did you track changes consistently or just “hope it works”?
    • Have you noticed patterns over months, seasons, or life changes?

    Experimenting on yourself is not about winning or losing—it’s about noticing what your body tells you.

    Final Thoughts (2 Weeks In)

    Even after only 2 weeks, I’ve noticed how powerful awareness is. Tracking my body, my energy, and my mood—without shame or hype—already feels like a win. Will Primal Queen be the magic pill it claims? Maybe, maybe not. But I’m learning something about my body either way.

    Call to Action

    If this post speaks to you, feel free to:

    Like, subscribe, or share with fellow archivists.

    Reflect quietly on your own experiments.

    Thank yourself for paying attention to your body, mind, and curiosity.

    Because sometimes, the boldest thing you can do is notice, track, and honor your own experience—without waiting for anyone else’s approval.

    More Experiments From The Archives

    Other Works of the Archive

  • Now Noticing November: Reflections on Urges, Awareness, and Myself

    This November, explore “Now Noticing November”—a mindful, judgment-free take on urges, sexual energy, and self-awareness.

    A personal reflection from a 29-year-old asexual woman offering a fresh perspective beyond No Nut November and No Fap.

    Author’s Note / Friendly Heads-Up:

    Hey! This post comes from my perspective as a 29-year-old asexual woman thinking too deeply about urges, curiosity, and intimacy.

    Nothing graphic here—just honest reflections. Some bits mention masturbation or sexual energy, which might feel a little uncomfortable depending on your own experiences.

    That’s okay. Just a heads-up before you dive in.

    A Different Perspective

    Women’s voices on this stuff are rare online. So if this feels a little different, that’s on purpose. Welcome to my corner of the internet—you don’t have to perform, compare, or apologize for being here.

    We’re all exploring together, each on our own journey. The Stratagems Archive is a safe place to reflect.

    Flipping the Script

    I didn’t plan to write about No Nut November (NNN) or No Fap. Honestly, I thought about it because of a morning when I felt unusually aroused—an intensity that came up without any prompting.

    But instead of following the usual rules or shame-driven narratives, I decided to observe, reflect, and write from my own experience.

    This aligns with how I process boundaries, consent, and trust—like in this post about From Video Game Chaos to Personal Growth: How Huniepop and Thought Experiments Made Me Think Too Hard (And That’s Okay)

    Here, I’m giving NNN/No Fap the middle finger—for being ironically rigid, morally loaded, and often harmful.

    Let’s go.

    My Approach

    This November, I’m paying attention—not to a challenge, not to a goal—but to what’s happening inside me.

    I notice tension in my body, subtle urges in my stomach and legs. My mind doesn’t demand release; it quietly asks, “Are you aware of me?”

    Years ago, I tried the standard challenges. Two months without acting on urges as a young adult.

    Did I become stronger, more productive, or fulfilled? Not really. I just felt guilty when I gave in and frustrated when I didn’t.

    I was still stuck in a dead-end job, carrying debt, and hating life because some “rule” told me what I shouldn’t do.

    Now? I notice. I sit with it. I let the feeling rise, fade, or linger—without judgment or urgency. Sometimes I call these urges “energy.”

    Energy I redirect into reading, journaling, working out, writing, or exploring fictional vignettes of intimacy and trust—safe spaces to explore curiosity without harming myself or anyone else.

    Awareness Over Rules

    The loud online NNN/No Fap narratives are full of instructions, memes, and ego-fueled comparisons. Strip that away, and you find something much more interesting: awareness.

    • Awareness of your body.
    • Awareness of your thoughts.
    • Awareness of your own patterns.

    This awareness doesn’t need to shame you. It doesn’t need to make you better than anyone else. It just makes you better for yourself.

    Reflections for You

    Take a moment to reflect—no pressure, no trends, just noticing:

    • Have you tried NNN or No Fap?
    • How did it make you feel—physically, mentally, emotionally?
    • Did you tie abstinence to productivity or self-improvement?
    • Or did you simply notice what your body and mind were doing?
    • What did you learn about yourself when you gave in, held back, or simply sat with your urges without judgment?

    This November, I’m not participating in No Nut November or No Fap. I’m not abstaining to prove anything or to strangers who I don’t rightly know. I’m simply noticing—my urges, my reflections, my curiosity.

    If you’re a Fellow weary Archivist, tired of being told there’s only one right way to handle your body, mind, or habits, I invite you to pause, reflect, and reclaim that space for yourself. You don’t need to follow the trend, the meme, or the challenge. You can simply notice.

    Sometimes the most radical thing you can do is give yourself permission to pay attention—to your body, your mind, and your own journey—without judgment or competition.

    Share Your Thoughts

    If this post speaks to you, feel free to:

    • Like.
    • Subscribe.
    • Share.
    • Reflect quietly.

    Leave a comment below or message me directly at whatimtryingoutnow@gmail.com. I read everything and will get back to you if you’d like to discuss this further.

    Thank you for spending your time in the archives. I hope you leave noticing something new about yourself today.