Plan Your Life Around Your Cycle (The Ultimate Life Upgrade)

As women, we experience life in a cyclical nature due to the changes in hormones we experience throughout our menstrual cycle. Without the awareness and understanding of this cycle, it can feel or seem like chaos (Just ask most men) but your cycle is actually really predictable if you spend the time getting to know it. 

In the previous article of this series on menstrual cycle tracking, I covered the basics of the menstrual cycle but this is where it starts to get really juicy. 

Not only can you predict your period, ovulation, and PMS, but you can also predict your mood, energy levels, willingness to socialize, productivity, and levels of introspection. 

Having this insight into how you will be feeling on any given day of the month can allow you to begin to plan your life around these insights and make your life easier and optimize on your prime energy levels. 

When to Take it Slow and Turn Inwards (Menstrual Phase)

In your menstrual phase, while you are on your period, your energy levels are at their lowest. Your hormones are at the lowest levels in your cycle, and your body is expending a lot of energy in shedding your uterine lining. You’ll likely feel more tired, and this is a great time to turn your focus inwards. Meditation is easier during this time and you have deeper access to your inner wisdom and intuition. 

This is an excellent time to recharge your batteries and spend time on self-care and reflection. It’s also best to keep physical activity to a minimum and focus on rest. This is the time to make sure you are ready for the new cycle ahead, and a little rest can go a long way. 

Things to do in this phase: Rest, Yoga, Meditation, Journalling, Nourish Your Body

When to Get Creative and Take on Projects (Follicular Phase)

After your period ends, your body begins to ramp up estrogen and testosterone and preparing for ovulation. The follicular phase brings a big boost in energy and stamina. This is the time you’ll likely be flooded with new ideas, and it’s a great time to execute them and take on new projects and challenges. 

You’ll also feel physically the strongest at this time and it’s a great time to go hard in your exercise routine. Your mood is steady and you’re feeling good. You also have a tendency to learn faster in this phase, so it’s a great time to take a class or learn a new skill. 

In other words, this is GO time. 

Things to do in this phase: Hit the Gym, Take on Projects, Crush Your To-Do List, Learn Something New. 

When to Connect Deeply (Ovulatory Phase)

The Ovulatory Phase (When the egg is released) is when your Estrogen and Testosterone are at their peak and progesterone starts to rise. You’re going to be feeling your most confident, charismatic, and social. You’ll also have the most sexual energy at this time, and it’s a great time to prioritize pleasure, both sexual and otherwise. 

This is a great time to forge connections with your partner, family, friends, and coworkers as you are at the top of your social game. Your focus during this time tends to be more outward focused, and it’s a great time to be giving with your energy. 

Things to do in this phase: Attend Social Events, Seek Pleasure, Have a Family Day, Win Over Clients, Meet Up With Friends, Have Quality Time With Your Spouse

When to Focus and Make Adjustments (Luteal Phase)

As your hormone levels begin to drop after ovulation, you’re going to be a lot more sensitive. You might experience amplified emotions and mood swings, along with a sharper focus and a keen sense of what is and isn’t working. 

This is a great time to make adjustments to areas of your life that are out of alignment and to examine your needs and if they are being met.

It’s important to pay attention to the things that spark negative emotional reactions during this time as it’s usually an indicator that this is something that needs to change. At other points in the month, we are more tolerant and “clouded” in some ways with our feel-good hormones and this is a brilliant time to make improvements. 

You’re better primed to do detail-oriented tasks, such as organizing and decluttering, and you may feel like nesting and re-prioritizing your self-care. 

Things to do in this phase: Deep Focused and Detail Oriented Tasks, Self Care, Examine Your Needs, Ease up on Responsibilities

Time to Take Back Our Feminine Power

As women, we have the opportunity now more than ever to shift the way we work with and engage with this world as not only equal participants but in recognizing and taking advantage of our differences. 

We have come so far with feminism, but it’s time to go a bit further and begin to value and appreciate the cyclical nature of the feminine and the gifts and power that offers. 

The next wave of feminism could be as simple as learning to work and live within our cyclical nature. 

Stay tuned for an in-depth look at how to track your cycle to finish off this series on cycle charting.