Soften into our Cycles

How do you honor yourself as a cyclical being?

Are you currently aware of the phases of your monthly cycle?

Do you make the choice to work with the energy of your cycles or ignore this powerful wisdom our bodies hold?

Most women are far removed from the cyclical nature of their own bodies. Oftentimes, we pay attention only when our period arrives or if we are having a challenging time getting pregnant (or trying not to get pregnant.) The popularity of birth control alters our natural hormonal cycles, preventing many women, from a young age, from having the opportunity to feel her natural rhythms. In addition, our cultural disconnect from nature and how our bodies mirror the cycles of the earth prevent us from having a consciousness connection with practices that honor ourselves as daughters of this great mother.

There is more support to be gained from softening into the phases of our menstrual cycle than simply knowing when we can or can not get pregnant. Nature has so perfectly designed us with a built in self-care system, if only we pay attention. There are 4 clear stages to our monthly cycle that when we make a choice to acknowledge and embrace the qualities of each by the actions we take in our lives, we can maximize the energetic output of our bodies. When we soften into this experience and allow ourselves to be guided by our cycle, we no longer exhaust and deplete ourselves by pushing through.

Working with our cycles is a beautiful way to practice cultivating a subtler listening to our bodies. It also builds further self trust as we choose in harmony with our bodies rather than against them.

4 stages of our monthly cycle-

Week 1 -
Menstruation - This is a time to slow down and go inward. It is a time of amplified sensitivity. Our awareness of what we desire can become very clear. It is a time for quiet listening as the veil is thinner and angelic guidance may be more palpable. Take note of intuitions during this stage. It is a time to hear great wisdom and clarity coming through us. Ideally you can create blocks of time to be with just yourself during this time. Ask for support to create the space to nurture yourself. Even if you can’t fully be alone, commit to longer restorative practices during menstruation.

Week 2 -
Pre-Ovulation - During this stage imagine spring. It is a time of inspiration. It is a time to take actions that nurture new ideas. This is a time of feeling energy building and riding the waves of visions and possibilities. The seeds are being to sprout and so make choices to support their growth and strengthening. It is a great time for beginning projects that you’ve had clarity about. It is a time to make connections with people who can support your vision. What kind of support do you need? Reach out and initiate these connections.

Week 3 -
Ovulation - It’s summertime! The momentum of pre-ovulation comes to a peak during ovulation. This is a stage of high energetic output into social connection and work. It is a time to bring projects to fruition (or stages of fruition.) It is a time to blast off. There is no holding back during ovulation. Schedule your speaking gigs, important meetings, conversations with potential investors in your vision, go on vigorous hikes, attend parties, etc. during this week. Have fun and be playful engaging with others and the world.

Week 4 -
Pre-menstrual - Now we begin to slow down as our intuition begins to become more attuned again. It is a great time for intimate connection with nature and others. It is a wonderful time for ritual around letting go. It is a time to quietly appreciate and celebrate our victories during ovulation, and then let go to make space for the new or next stages of development. Having small gatherings with intentional focus, peaceful walks in the woods, making reflective art, movement practices with others are all examples of activities that nurture this phase.

Many of us have busy lives full of commitments that we may or may not have control over scheduling. If you can rearrange your schedule to be more congruent with your cyclical flow, try it. Regardless of our schedules, we can make choices to honor our cyclical nature. Even choosing one daily activity supports us. If you are the creator of your schedule, try choosing meeting times, parties, important events, retreat times, vacations, hikes that are in alignment with your monthly cycle. Share with the people that are closest in your life where you are in your cycle so that they can be supportive to your flow. Set boundaries and be willing to ask for what you need to create the space to nurture yourself during each stage. When we let go of the voices in our heads that we should be or do something, it frees us to be exactly who and how we are. We are then taking care of ourselves first and are able to give freely from a place of vitality and balance. There is immense power in this choice. We then are surrendering to the flow of life. We stop swimming against the current, exhausting ourselves in the process, and we soften into the exquisite perfection that nature designed for us.

Dare to Desire!

Kristen

There are a variety of free apps that help you track your menstrual cycle. I find this a useful tool in my full life to remind me of where I am at and to stay connected with my cyclical stages.