Cycle Syncing in Quarantine

For so long I said that I wanted to get my life and health under control but didn’t think I had enough time. Well, wish granted. Now, I have been forced to admit that it wasn’t so much the lack of time, but unsurprisingly, a lack of commitment and motivation. You’d think that deep pain every month would be enough to keep me in check, but by mid-cycle, the pain of menstruation was a distant memory. But I really did want this! I know what healthy looks like, I remember what it felt like. I want it back. Until now, the question has been how will I get there?

Well. It turns out this quarantine is a bit of a Godsend for my motivation. I, like many, haven’t worked, socialized in person, or gone to church in weeks. I needed something to make passage of time. Something to break the monotony of every day being the exact same as the last. That's where cycle sinking really became the M.V.P. of my sanity. Turns out, I didn’t need an over thought and quickly abandoned strategy, I just needed the whole world to be frozen in time for a week. And honestly, it's made all of the ! difference. Each phase of my cycle having distinct phases has given me structure, and even a bit of energy to get things done in their proper time.

Menstruation:

Quarantine has allowed me to actually take a break for the first time since I entered womanhood. The morning that I passed into this phase I stopped Working on my Luteal to-do list and planted myself on the couch. Most of that week was spent eating 80% chocolate, drinking raspberry leaf tea, taking baths, and going on walks. It was GLORIOUS! Of course, I can only chill for so long; by day 3 I was doing low impact projects like crocheting a rug. But I actually was able to take my time and rest without having to take time off work or cancel plans.

Follicular phase:

It’s inevitable, every time I enter the Luteal phase, I am consumed with the desire to do EVERYTHING! All of these different thoughts come at me at breakneck speed. And I find myself scribbling them down on every scrap and napkin I have near me. Nowadays, when I'm in the follicular phase, I take the time to actually stop and make a thought-out to-do list and chart a reasonable schedule for each thing on the list according to my cycle. I also took this time to begin learning a new skill because my brain is optimized for creating new connections at this time.

Ovulation:

This one’s a little, tricky. My energy is geared for building relationships, going places and doing things. So in light of our current circumstances, I am choosing to be very intentional about being active and reaching out to people during this time. Being outside as much as possible, joining an online squat challenge, and video chatting. These have all been crucial in the fight to keep my head up in this phase.

Luteal phase:

Just like last month, this is when I will be thanking my follicular phase self for the to-do lists. This is when I’m all about that deep work. Going through all the clothes checking for holes, deep cleaning the house, etc. I’m also starting online classes, so I will get as much homework done as possible before Menstruation.

I know there are many people who are even busier now than ever, and I am so grateful for the service they are providing. I also know that there are many who don’t have the privilege of just sheltering until this is all over. But if you find yourself in the position where you have more time than you know what to do with, I invite you to join me in hitting the reset button and building habits that will stick with us when this time passes. Because it will pass.

For more information about Cycle Syncing check out the book of the month In the FOL.