When Your Energy Returns

There’s nothing more refreshing, and invigorating, then when your energy comes back after your period. 

"Hey girl, how’s it going?" it asks, “Ready to get to work?"

"Yes. Yes I am," I eagerly reply clapping my hands together in glee.  

I’m getting better at accepting the slower pace during the end of my luteal phase into my menstrual phase, but towards the end of my period I find myself really craving that fiery, inspired motivation.

That, "I feel like I just drank four cups of coffee," feeling. 

I love knowing that I can start putting more back onto my daily to do lists. Knowing that I’ll get it all done, and then some. 

During the low energy days, around my period, I keep my to do list to the bare minimum.

If I think of any extra things that need to get done, but can wait a week or two, I will just add them to my ongoing to do list, instead of trying to tackle them when I know I shouldn’t be. 

Then when the energy rolls back through town I can tackle that giant list. 

I’m really getting the hang of taking advantage of my different phases, and making the most out of my different strengths in each. 

And I try not to choose favorites, but my Dynamic [Follicular] phase is my favorite, as well as probably every other woman’s.

I’ve felt unstoppable for the past three days and I don’t want it to end. 

Old Friends || My Period and Me This Month

She’s been very polite. We started off on good terms. I, letting her flow freely, and she, only ever so slightly making me feel like I was gushing from within, causing me to rush to the bathroom to check for the disaster I felt was taking place in my pants. Gotcha! She says. What a jokester she is. There’s no mess, just a calm little collection happening.

Last night we hung out on the couch, researching fountain pens with the ever so glorious heating pad at our back. 

We’re testing out a new menstrual cup this week. It’s been stubbornly veering to the left, poking the right side of that spot just inside my vagina.

Trips to the bathroom to straighten it out a bit. Now, stay, I ask it as if it were a rambunctious pup I’m attempting to tame. 

Heading back to my seat, lowering myself down ever so softly to see if it has gone crooked again, a sure fire sign is the inevitable jab to the right of my vagina. So far, no jab. Things are looking up. 

Eventually, we decide to trim the new cup. That's something new, we remark together. We've never had to trim a cup before. Longer stems is usually what we're asking for. 

We settle into the couch with a sigh, unable to find comfort at the kitchen counter. 

She’s been playing tricks on me, disappearing into the night, leaving me thinking she’s gone, only to return a few hours into the daylight, hello, remember me, I’m not quit ready to leave. 

We ordered a pair of underwear, just for the two of us. Recently, she’s been begging to flow a little more freely, I'm trying to adjust to the sensation that there is more than there is really. We have high hopes these new underwear will help ease that fear of leaking everywhere. 

It’s amazing to look back at the progression over the past ten years of being together. We started out rocky, fighting the entire week. Now we coincide like two peas in a pod, happier than could be.  

Meditation Around Menstruation

The end of your luteal phase, into your menstrual phase, is a beautiful time to dig deep to take a look at where you are investing your energy. Is it going towards the positive or the negative? You need to dive into anything that your are [consciously or subconsciously] ignoring, denying or avoiding. 

This is a time to explore, feel and release. 

During the luteal phase you can feel your energy slipping, the motivation maybe isn't quite there anymore, and you just feel tired. What you may notice creeping in: tension, frustration, sensitivity, and an overwhelming sense of your inner self. 

That sounds rotten, you may be saying to yourself. But there's beauty even here. 

Women at this point in their cycle have this wonderful ability, something that comes easier now than at any other point: meditation. 

Don't hesitate to uncork those bottled up emotions and experiences you've been shoving under the rug for the past month [or maybe even longer]. Yes, this takes a hell of a lot of courage, digging up all that crap. 

We've all created these little coping methods to keep us from being emotionally overwhelmed, to save ourselves from the pain and tension that sits on the other side of that doorway. 

But, if we allow ourselves to step through, to become overwhelmed, our old patterns are broken down, unable to support the stifling of all that emotion, and therefore we are forced to create new patterns. 

If we consciously dive into this, we can be there to create the new behaviors we want to replace the old with. 

Because of how accessible this spot in our subconscious is, and how aware we are to it's proximity, meditation during this time is great tool for self-exploration and growth. 

As we move into the menstrual phase we can accept that we need to slow down, allow ourselves to just think and be, to notice and let go. Because of the lack of energy we can't be bothered to keep it up anymore, we easily let go of fear and anxiety in this phase, moving towards self-acceptance. 

We can take a good look at our goals, desires and intentions from before and decide whether we want to carry them forward, whether they are in line with what we want in the future. 

Take this time, allow yourself to slow down, and take note of the magic that comes forward in return. 

Letting Go Around Your Menstrual Phase

We all feel fired up, and great about ourselves, when we are super focused and productive. We feel like we could take on the world, one to-do list at a time. 

Checking things off at the speed of light feels great don’t get me wrong. 

But today I am proud of myself for letting go of this need. 

The energy isn’t there and I know that. I know I need to allow myself to slow down. 

And something amazing has happened. I have found a way to work with my slower state and still be productive. 

Normally, I fight the urge to slow down. I get angered with myself when the inspiration and motivation isn’t there. I try to force myself into that state of excited action. 

It hasn’t worked. 

But just in the last few days, I’ve just kind of stopped caring. Well, that’s not entirely true. I do care. I care a lot. But I realize what I was doing before wasn’t working, wasn’t healthy. 

So, today I only put two things on my to-do list, start notes and continue notes for two different projects. I put it on my list this morning. And then I just kind of forgot about it and left it alone. 

I did other things today. I went and got my hair cut, I watched three episodes, with my boyfriend, in our bed of “Making a Murderer”. 

Then he left to have drinks with a friend who is in town, it is Friday night I guess. 

And me? I had this voice in my head [my own] that said, Alright Victoria, it’s time to go sit down at the kitchen counter and get to work on those two items. 

I turned on my twinkle lights, lit a few candles, poured a glass of wine, switched on my Spotify and got to work. 

Granted I watched a few YouTube videos, and called my parents before actually starting. I’m just easing myself in, I told myself. I set a limit, ten minutes of videos, then see if you’re ready to work. 

And I was. 

I’ve sat down, finished those two items, and then decided to tack on writing this post as well. Look at you go girl, I say to myself, you’re killing it right now. 

So, what I’m trying to tell you in all of this is that it’s OK to let go of the responsibility for a few days. Let go of the need to be uber productive. And you just might be surprised with the response from your mind and body. Alright it says, you’re giving me what I need, I’ll give you a little something in return.  

The Red Moon Cycle

Most never consider the connection between the female cycle and the lunar cycle.

Recently, I've been fascinated with the connection. 

I've read that women in ancient times [when cultures were a little more clued in on the connection between humans and the world around them] would bleed with the new moon and ovulate with the full moon. 

At one point I close to syncing up to the women of the past, but just in the this year my cycle has shortened by a mere two days, enough to cause it to switch to the opposite cycle [bleeding with the full moon and ovulating with the new moon]. 

This is called a "Red Moon Cycle" and according to the wonderful Miranda Gray, women who have this cycle have been drawn away from "the energies of procreation and the material world and towards inner development and its expression." 

That line right there sparked my interest. 

It turns out there have always been women who have followed this Red Moon Cycle. Men viewed them as powerful and uncontrollable. They were deemed evil, seductresses. 

I took a step back and started reflecting on my recent cycles, and what I've been feeling deep down inside.

Creative, productive, and inspired, that's what's been swirling around inside of me. In the past few months, the more I've concentrated on my career, building my brand and all of the beautiful magic, the less "baby fever" I've gotten [procreation]. And oddly enough I've become hyper conscious of my consumption and production of waste [the material world].

I still consider myself a "caring", "nurturing" human, but I have noticed some changes. I still feel that urge to help, as I imagine all human beings do, but my patience has been slipping and I find myself thinking, "Come on, get it together people, I can't keep doing this."

Because I can't.

This may seem insensitive, but my focus has been on me and building my future. 

And guess what? I've been loving it. I wake up each morning inspired, invigorated, and ready to start in on that day. I go to bed thinking, "Gee, I can't wait for it to be morning again." This is a vast improvement from the days when I would wake up thinking, "Gee, I can't wait to go to bed tonight."

This isn't selfish. This is good for me, and in turn great for everyone around me. It's what feels right, so I've decided to go with it, stick with my gut. And boy, oh boy, have I been in love with everything I've been creating lately. 

Come One, Come All: Clean Out Thy Vagina

Why is it that so many girls are raised to think that their vaginas [and surrounding area] are dirty, disgusting, mysterious secrets? 

It’s absurd. 

Then as adults they’re taught [sold] the various ways in which they can “cleanse" or “detox” their vaginas. 

So, let’s take a few minutes to go through them, and don’t worry, I’ll interject my own thoughts as we move along. 

Douching - Whenever I hear of douching I always think to myself, “Do women still do this?!”. And yes, yes they do. Douching is where you take water, either in a bag or bottle, and spray it up into your vagina. There are combinations of vinegar, antiseptics and fragrances to "freshen up" your v-tunnel, whether it be from odor, left over menstrual blood, to avoid STD’s and pregnancy.

Firstly, does anyone research anything for themselves? A quick Google search is all it takes to learn that this is a bad, bad idea.

Douching increases the risk of infections, pregnancy complications and having a sad, Sahara desert dry vagina. 

It messes up the delicate balance of vaginal flora, which is the good bacteria necessary in your vagina. 

Your vagina is a self-cleaning power house, and you should leave it to do its work. If you do have an infection, significant odor change or discharge - go see your doctor for crying out loud. 

Vaginal Soap - a specially formulated liquid soap that is supposed to be used externally to help maintain your vagina’s pH levels, whether that be from periods or semen. 

But surprise, surprise, OB/GYN’s say you don’t need them, and I agree. Your vagina self balances it’s acidity to adapt to that pesky blood or sperm. 

Medicated washes MAY be necessary if you have an actual infection, but you should only be getting those prescribed from a doctor. 

I used to use this for a few years, but then I learned that all you need to do is splash you lady bits with a little water and use your fingers to clean it. 

Vaginal Deodorant - After you’ve douched the inside and pH soaped the outside, you can then take it one step further with scented vaginal suppositories, a spray and even vagina mints [just in case your man doesn’t like going down on you].

Ok, girls, listen up. Your vagina is supposed to have a certain “vaginal” odor. It’s normal and healthy. Quit trying to make your vaginas smell like a chemical garden. You’re doing more harm than good. 

Detox Herb Balls - This is what sparked the fire of “I have to write that article!” Apparently there are these little “tea bags” for sale to detox your vagina. You take this little bag [usually they recommend three at a time], filled with various herbs, and shove it up in your vagina for three days. 

Have you ever forgotten something in your vagina for a few days? I hope not. I can only imagine the havoc this would have on your lady machine. Not to mention what would come out when you finally removed it after three days. 

I will repeat it, your vagina is a self-cleaning organ. You need to let it breath and clean itself out. Imagine shoving tampons up your nose when you have a sinus infection and just leaving them for three days. Bad idea. 

V-Steams -They’re essentially a facial for your vulva. Certain spas offer them, and there are DIY versions for you to perform at home. You take herbs, boil them in water and then sit over this concoction for 45 minutes with a towel draped over you and the bowl so the steam goes straight to your hoo-hah. 

Once again, you don’t need this. But this is the only one on this list that I’m remotely OK with. They spout plenty of “benefits” of v-steaming, but I see it as something that would purely be just for relaxation, like sitting in a bubble bath or having heated seats. 

If all of that wasn't enough for you, here’s more info:

According to a review in Clinical Medicine Insights: Women’s Health, half of all yeast infections are caused from the chemicals in creams, soaps, lubes, spermicide, condoms, hygiene products, and dyes. 

Waxing and shaving removes the layer of skin that protects your vulva, which opens it up to be more sensitive to chemicals and bacteria. 

Final thoughts - Leave your vagina alone. It’s a power house and can take care of itself. All you need is a little splash of water and swipe between the lips to keep her healthy and happy.  

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!