There are a few myths and misconceptions that come up regularly when I’m first speaking to clients and community members about tracking our menstrual cycles that I wanted to cover. This post will show examples of how the inner seasons and phases of your menstrual cycle can play out if you have a short or longer cycle too.

This season of our menstrual cycle is championed as the time of showing up, being seen, of connection, socialisation, daring and confidence. Yet, over and over again I hear about how this can be the hardest phase of the cycle for people and I wonder how much of it is down to the high expectations and pressure we put on ourselves to be that glowing, summery version of ourselves.

When I’m rested, Inner Spring is a really lovely phase for me. I feel creative, confident and capable. My mind can be a bit scatty, but if there is something I forget or make a mistake on I can recover much more quickly (my inner critic stays quiet).

If I’ve been unwell during my winter, been kept awake by my kids, or otherwise just not been able to take the break my body has craved as it bleeds, then Inner Spring can actually be a tricky time.

You don't have to menstruate to want to live and work in flow with natural cycles. Following the lunar phases and aligning yourself with their rhythm where possible gives you an anchor; a way to create both a sustainable working and personalised self care schedule.

Most of us are familiar with recognising and discussing PMS - low mood, cravings, lethargy, cramps - all the fun stuff (all the stuff that can be almost entirely avoided by the way. More on that another time). But our hormones affect everything. Our confidence, creativity, sexuality, intuition, our focus. Even how articulate or organised we are changes throughout our cycle. Learning to recognise and predict these patterns gives us the opportunity to plan our work for exactly when it will suit us physically, mentally and emotionally.