Last week I began a series intended to make Cyclical Living and Leadership accessible to people, especially those of us who feel like we just don’t have the capacity to add another thing to our to-do list.
As a refresher, I asked you to:
Decide if cycle mindfulness will benefit your life and leadership, and to what extent;
Bring awareness to your current attitudes about cyclical living and leadership (including the belief that “I am too busy to attend to my own rhythm”); and
Explore and experiment with adopting the nine attitudes of mindfulness in your practice.
This week, we are jumping right in with some practical tips to get you started.
Who doesn’t love a good listicle?
You’ll definitely want to bookmark this blog because it is jam-packed with excellent information.
11 tips to get you started in your cycle mindfulness practice
Start tracking and reflecting
Begin by tracking your cycle using a calendar, app, or journal.
Choose a tracking method that fits your lifestyle and schedule. It can be as simple as marking the days on a calendar or using a specialized app. It does not have to be complicated to be impactful.
If you are tracking a menstrual cycle, note the start and end dates of your period and any physical or emotional changes you observe. See if you can sense when you crossover into the changing inner seasons and how that impacts you emotionally, energetically, mentally and spiritually.
If you don’t have a period, choose a day to begin tracking (such as a the new moon, or the beginning of a week, month or season) and just begin tracking your changes over time.
You can refer to my previous blog post about letting your inner rhythm guide you home to learn more about my recommended cycle tracking process.
The highlight is to track:
Cycle day number;
Three word check-in describing how you’re feeling; and
What you sense you need that day.
If you prefer to track using an app, I recommend Spinning Wheels and Stardust on iOS or Android. Be sure to read the fine print regarding how your data is shared.
I suggest this be your first step, and that you commit to tracking data over the course of three cycles or 90 days to get a solid data set to work with.
Educate yourself
If you do not have a menstrual cycle, consider educating yourself on the other cycles that influence you, such as those below.
Some helpful resources and teachers that I have found in this space are:
Mark Walsh, specifically The Embodiment Podcast episode 23: Seasons of the Body, his videos on Life Cycles and Seasons in Leadership and Seasons and Contact Styles in Relationship, and this PDF on the Rhythms of Life
For menstruators, learn about the different phases of the menstrual cycle and their corresponding inner seasons to understand the patterns and changes that occur. You can refer to my previous blog post about this, or explore other teachers.
Some of my recommendations in this space are:
Embrace curiosity, self-discovery and flexibility
Approach menstrual cycle awareness with an open mind and curiosity. Explore how your body, mind and spirit respond to different phases and embrace the opportunity for self-discovery.
Understand that your cycle may not always align perfectly with your plans. Be flexible and adapt as needed, while still honoring your body's needs.
Refer to the Nine Attitudes of Mindfulness as a refresher for these mindsets.
Find a supportive community and seek professional guidance
If you're interested in deepening your understanding of menstrual cycle mindfulness, consider working with a menstrual cycle coach, seeking guidance from a healthcare professional, or joining online or in-person communities where you can connect with other people practicing cycle mindfulness. Share experiences, ask questions, and learn from each other.
One option for this is to register below for my workshop Cycle Devotion on June 11th. This workshop is specifically for people with menstrual cycles (pre-menarche and post-menopausal people are welcome).
You can also work with me 1:1 in a coaching relationship to support you in implementing cycle mindfulness into your life.
Listen to your body
It may be tempting to use the cycle maps I have previously provided to strategize your life around the different seasons. This is helpful in the beginning, but the most important rule of this practice is to honor the cycle that you have. Let your body and your personal experience be your teacher here, and adjust your strategy as needed.
Honor your body's needs during each phase of your cycle. Get enough rest, eat nutritious foods, stay hydrated, and engage in activities that nourish your physical and emotional well-being.
Pay attention to the signals your body sends during different phases of your cycle and adapt your routine accordingly. Modify your exercise routine to align with your energy levels. Engage in more vigorous activities during high-energy phases and opt for gentle exercises during low-energy phases.
Aim for a balance between rest and productivity throughout your cycle. Understand that there are times for action and times for rejuvenation.
Plan ahead
Take some time at the beginning of each cycle to plan activities, self-care practices, or projects that align with the energy levels and focus of each phase.
You can refer to my previous blog post to get ideas for these until you discover your personal preferences as you get to know your cycle.
Set reminders
Use calendar alerts or app notifications to remind yourself of the upcoming phases of your cycle and any activities you want to engage in during each phase. You can tweak these as you collect more data on your cycle and get to know your unique inner rhythm.
Prioritize, delegate and communicate
Recognize that your energy levels will fluctuate throughout your cycle. Delegate tasks or prioritize activities based on your energy levels to maximize healthy productivity based on your unique rhythm.
Communicate with your direct-reports, colleagues, children and life-partners about these changes and how you would like support throughout your cycle. In the spirit of reciprocity, let them know when in your cycle you have more capacity to support them in their needs, too.
Experiment with rituals
Create rituals or ceremonies to mark the beginning or end of each phase. It could be lighting a candle, taking a warm bath, or practicing gratitude.
Here are some ideas for rituals that I love based on which inner season I am in:
Inner Winter
Adorn yourself in red: change your sheets, wear red jewelry or clothing. Embrace this part of your flow.
I personally collect my menstrual blood and use it in rituals. I reflect on all that I am letting go of in order to make space for my creative desires to come forward. I give gratitude to the cycles of birth, life, death and rebirth and dedicate my menstrual blood to the seeds that I am planting for the next cycle. Each end is a beginning, and this is my way of honoring that.
Inner Spring
Light a candle to symbolize the return of your inner light.
Give yourself permission to play and experiment with something during this phase.
Inner Summer
Do something that reminds you of how fabulous, full and abundant you are.
This is a time of heightened sensory pleasure, so give yourself a full sensory experience and relish it. Adorn yourself in smells that you love, textures that feel good on your skin, things that taste delicious, beautiful art to look at, and sensational sounds.
Take yourself on a date or go out with friends or your partner. Give yourself permission to be seen in your radiance.
Inner Autumn
Give yourself permission to pull back and inward.
Grab a sheet of paper and list everything that you’re proud of happening during the first three phases of your cycle. Celebrate your harvest and everything you’ve accomplished.
Reflect on what is no longer serving you and make the intention to shed it before you enter the next cycle. Perhaps you can write this down and burn it or bury it before you enter your inner winter.
Integrate gradually
Start by focusing on one or two aspects of menstrual cycle awareness, such as tracking or self-care rituals. Gradually incorporate more elements into your routine as you become more comfortable in the practice and learn more about your unique inner rhythm.
Celebrate your journey
Acknowledge and celebrate your commitment to menstrual cycle awareness. Recognize the positive changes it brings to your life and the empowerment it offers.
If you feel called to, celebrate yourself publicly on social media and tag me in it so I can celebrate you too!
Up Next
As I enter my Inner Autumn I feel called to share more about this phase of our cycles, which for some can feel like a challenging experience in our linear, high-output and action-oriented culture. I will share more in depth about the inherent powers, gifts and challenges of this phase and how to mindfully work with it using simple and effective practices.
Until then, my friends.
May this work benefit all beings everywhere.
Soulful blessings,
Emily
P.S. Registration for Cycle Devotion is now live! You can register through the link below. The base rate is $88 and paid subscribers get a 22% discount to all of my offerings, so consider upgrading to a paid tier to save over $19.
If the base rate is inaccessible to you, send me an email at wildeyescoaching@gmail.com to register with a “pay what you choose” option. Accessibility to resources is a virtue that I believe must be woven into the fabric of our society and I am committed to it.
P.P.S. If you aren’t located in Sacramento or you prefer 1:1 support, consider scheduling a complementary consultation call. It’s a no-pressure connection call where we can explore your current aspirations and longings and you can experience my coaching style first hand. It’s completely risk-free and you will definitely walk away with clarity and next steps.