Going with your menstrual flow...

I know it may not feel like it at times, but us ladies are BLESSED to have a menstrual cycle, we basically get to have a mini re-birth each month and if we are aware of our cycle we can really get in to our flow, use it to our advantage and live our best life.

Providing we are fully in tune with our natural hormonal cycle (contraception may mess with this) we tend to experience a very rhythmic cycle each month which can dictate our mood, energy levels, productivity and much more. If we become very familiar with our own cycle we can use it as a guide and plan around it, we can fine tune our lives a bit more.

Back in the day womens periods were seen as sacred, it is said they used to be in sync with the cycle of the moon (mine actually synced up with the new moon when I ditched contraception) and women used to gather under the moon light during their time of bleeding and support each other. Although perhaps not very logistically appropriate in this day and age, I think this is beautiful and perhaps we could be doing more to show ourselves and our fellow sisters support during this often sensitive time.

Every womans cycle is completely unique to her, I see my cycle play out as seasons, I move through all four throughout the month, to varying degrees I tend to experience the below. Perhaps you can relate to some of this in your own cycle and know that you are definitely not alone or crazy for feeling so up and down throughout the month.

Autumn would be the week before my period is due, this is when I feel my body is physically preparing for the period. My energy levels start to dip, I begin to feel more introspective, my confidence does not feel as high, I begin to freak out about about silly things (e.g how one of my eyebrows is slightly higher than the other), I start to feel more sensitive, I feel less social and I begin to feel a little ungrounded and can get stuck in my head. To me it feels like I am sorting through what I want to let go of and what I want to keep and take through with me to the next cycle, a bit like sorting through your wardrobe, except this wardrobe is less fun and full of suppressed emotion ha. This phase is good for beginning to wind down and for self reflection, to recognise what is working in your life and what is not. What do you want to let go of and what do you want to keep?

Winter would be the days immediately before and when I begin to bleed. I feel emotionally unbalanced, very sensitive, low energy, my mood is up and down (mostly down), I crave ALL THE FOOD. I lack confidence, things start to anger me a lot more (I could lose my shit over the slightly too loud laughter of a jolly child). I tend to feel very unsocial yet needy AF simultaneously, this leaves me in a bit of a dull limbo wondering what the hell to do with myself and usually leaves my partner feeling equally as confused. I see this phase as the shedding phase (our womb is literally shedding), everything that needs to be released, whether it is emotions, ideas, people or stagnant energy, is brought up to the surface to be released. Women are VERY powerful during this time, their intuition is high and they tend to receive all the information they need in one way or another on the changes they need to make moving forward in to their next cycle. This phase is the best time for 'me' time, to find stillness, to listen to your inner voice (she is very wise at this time), to comfort yourself (eat that cake girl) and most importantly to give yourself permission to feel shit, it is an important part of the letting go process.

Spring would be the days immediately after my period, where I feel I have moved in to my new cycle, I have hopefully let go of the crap that I needed to and I am feeling fresh, optimistic, light, clear headed and ready to start plotting my next moves. My energy levels start to increase, I am more psychically active, I feel stronger, my confidence is coming back, my emotions have balanced out, I start to like people again and I want to be social, I want to get things moving. I am eating healthier and meal prep is a breeze. It feels like the light is returning. This phase is the best time to get things going, to put plans of action together and to make decisions.

Summer would be my fertile window, mid way through my cycle. This is when I have peak energy. The birds are singing and the bees are buzzing. I feel strong, I feel confident, I feel at my most attractive, I am my most socially, physically and sexually active. My mood is high, my body feels light, I am creative, I feel motivated, I am putting my plans in to action, I am getting shit done, all my dreams are coming true, nothing can stop me and puh, what emotions? My ego tends to resonate with this phase the most and I see it as 'the real me', because I feel good, but in reality each phase is the real me, just expressing herself differently. This phase is the best time to crack on with creative projects and to plan social events on e.g if I was throwing a party I would definitely aim for this beautiful charming phase of my cycle.

Although the world as it stands today sadly does not allow much room for women to be in the flow of their natural cycle, with 9-5 jobs etc, we should still give ourselves what we need as far as possible at each phase of our cycle. It is the least we deserve.

I truly believe as a woman it is SO important to be in tune with our natural cycle, it keeps us moving, it keeps us growing, it allows us to let go of things and gather new things... Flowers would not flourish without the seasons, each phase is highly valuable.

If you are not doing so already and have decided you want to move more in the flow of your cycle, I would recommend downloading an app (very millennial), I personally use an app called Clue to help me keep track, but there are lots out there, see what works for you.

Also, whilst we are on the subject, lets help end the taboo around periods. Its 2019, bleed with pride boo!

Love,

Elif x

P.s writing this post has inspired me to start hosting womens circles which coincide with the New Moon! (Yay) Stay tuned for details.