Listening to Your Body | Working With Your Menstrual Cycle

If you’re anything like me, I used to fight my period and cycle with all my might. And hey, maybe you still do? That a ok. It's pretty hard to change something you're not aware of.

So, today I want to dig into two different recent situations, where my body was telling me things because of my menstrual cycle, and how I have listened, haven’t listened, and the outcome because of that.

I am currently a few days away from starting my period, and it’s always around this time that my body, and sometimes mind, starts to slow down. I don’t have quite as much energy, and I definitely don’t have that social spark that I get around ovulation. 

My solution to this, that has worked very well for me, has been to work entirely from home (i.e. my kitchen counter and living room). I avoid networking, presenting ideas or proposals to others, and just about everything that falls within that social window. 

I have allowed my body and mind to move at a pace it functions best at, and I have been pleasantly surprised with my motivation and productivity. I have gotten more done in this past week than I have in the past month. 

Now, another example where I didn’t listen so clearly and tried to push past what my body/mind wanted — 

This time last month was two weeks before the ol’ wedding, meaning I had my period the week before the big "I do". 

I am much more emotional (not necessarily a bad thing) and I have much less patience. Normally, these two differences don’t effect me too much because I'm usually better at adjusting to it.

But with the stress, families coming into town, and non-stop, last minute running around, my mind and emotions were a bit fried. But I didn’t listen to my body because I didn’t think I had time to, and let’s just say I cried alone more than once from some small disagreement, decision that had to be made, or just because I was feeling uber stressed (and I was upset that I was feeling that way). 

Now, I obviously couldn’t have ignore my responsibilities those two weeks and hid in my apartment, but I could have taken a few more moments for myself. 

This month, I am fully prepared for, and welcoming of my period. I’ve been doing a lot of self-reflection, practicing mindfulness and gratitude, and the end of my luteal phase and beginning of my menstrual phase are the perfect time to do all of these things. 

When was a time you can remember that you listened to your body when it was telling you to slow down, or maybe a time you didn’t? 

Why Body Literacy Is So Damn Important!

If you don’t take the initiative to learn what the heck is actually going on in your body, you’ll be left at the mercy of other’s information.

And while you’d hope, and assume, that everyone has your best interest in mind, I hate to break it to you — they don’t.

This isn’t me saying that we’re all horrible, no good, rotten jerks. No. We’re mostly good.

But there are plenty of people who are out for themselves [sometimes subconsciously] and in the medical world that usually means what brings in the most money.

And surprise, surprise, knowing what’s going on in your body isn’t a big money maker for them.

Charting your own cycle requires you to buy a thermometer — for just a couple of bucks — and that’s is. Didn’t hear me? Let me repeat that again. You need a thermometer and a piece of paper.

Now, if you’re in thermometer sales, more women charting is “Woo-Hoo!” awesome for you.

But, if you’re in the business of hormonal birth control it’s bad news bears.

More and more women are catching on though. They’re realizing, “Hey! This here, this is MY body, and I want to understand it better.”

Through the rise of popularity of things such as yoga, these ladies are getting more in touch with their inner selves and with their bodies.

When you start learning about your body, and what is actually going on [and I’m not talking about that half-ass crap you learned in 6th grade health class] magical things happen. Beautiful things happen.

There are so many “A-ha!” moments when it all starts to click and make sense. You start noticing things, consistencies, and when you have the information to why things happen, a certain sort of harmony with your body emerges.

No more fighting it and silently yelling to yourself “Why are you doing this to me???” Instead you go, “Oh hey, I feel you there and I understand your purpose. Thank you!”

Sounds silly, but I swear it’s the truth!