Embracing Your Rhythms: A Cyclical Approach to Time Management
"Don't burn yourself out. Be as I am—a reluctant enthusiast... a part-time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves and your lives for pleasure and adventure." ~ Edward Abbey
Recognising the Importance of Energy Management
Have you ever found yourself caught in a never-ending cycle of over-scheduling, leaving little room for spontaneity, fun or relaxation? Trust me, you're not alone.
I've been guilty of this over the last couple of months.
It’s too easy to schedule myself without leaving any white space in my diary!
The easiest way I fall into the trap of stuffing my diary to the brim is allowing Summer Vix to manage my schedule. Summer (Ovulating) Vix is like superwoman. She can do anything. She's full of energy and loves doing all the things.
During these high-energy periods, it's tempting to pack my schedule to the brim, failing to anticipate the consequences on my well-being when my energy inevitably wanes. It's frustrating to find myself overwhelmed and drained during a different phase, like the premenstrual stage, wondering why I've neglected our own space and sanity yet again.
The other trap I can find myself falling into is driven by the misconception that my energy and productivity reach their peak during times of constant busyness. Like the saying goes, if you want a task done, give it to a busy person. While this might be true for a very limited period of time, I've learned through bitter experience that this approach tends leads to burnout and me neglect my needs.
Embracing a Cyclical Approach
To break free from this exhausting cycle, it's vital to consider the rhythms that hold significance in your live. By imagining how your future self will feel about the decisions you make today, you can develop systems that are kind and supportive of our overall well-being. Allow me to share a practical method that has transformed my approach to scheduling.
An example of my “ideal” week
One effective technique I use is maintaining a separate calendar dedicated to mapping out my ideal week. This unique calendar allows me to block out specific time periods not only for when I'm menstruating but also for the days leading up to it. During the premenstrual phase, my inner critic tends to grow louder, and I often find myself feeling irritable or grouchy. Recognising the importance of personal space during this time, I ensure that I have fewer commitments scheduled.
While this method isn't an exact science, it provides a rough guideline that helps me prepare for the upcoming cycle. By marking this time in advance, I can make more mindful decisions about what I choose to commit to during that period.
Just as I tend to over-schedule during our high-energy moments, I can also under-schedule during low-energy periods. The lesson I keep coming back to is to make decisions about my time with my future self in mind, rather than basing my planning on how I feel in the moment I have to make the decision. This proactive approach prevents me from overwhelming myself and enables me to create a schedule that is better aligned with my energy levels and needs.
Practical Tips for a Balanced Schedule
Here are some practical tips to help you integrate a cyclical approach to scheduling into your own life using any rhythm that is prominent for you:
Get to know your rhythms: Take note of your high and low-energy moments throughout the day and different phases of your personal cycles.
Clarify your strengths and needs: As you become more familiar with your rhythms and cycles, get clear on what different phases are best suited for and what you need during those times.
Create structures: Establish clear and structures boundaries in your schedule to ensure you have dedicated time for things other than work. Your plan doesn't have to be rigid but it means you don't have to work from a blank sheet every time.
Experiment: There's no perfect schedule and you don't need to get this 100% right. The goal here is to be more responsive to your rhythms and cycles, not create another stick to beat yourself with. Show your past self some gratitude when you get it right and commit to trying something different when it doesn't work out in the way you'd hope. Your future self will thank you for it.
Resources for Further Exploration
If you're interested in exploring these ideas further, here are some resources you may find helpful:
Book recommendation: When - The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel Pink and Wild Power - Discover the Power of Your Menstrual Cycle by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo-Wurtlizer
Download a free guide to Getting Started With Cycles to learn how to track your cycles.
Register your interest for the next round of Get It Done, which focuses on a cyclical approach to productivity.
Conclusion
Approach managing your diary with care and consideration for your personal energy cycles. By tracking and acknowledging your energy fluctuations, you can create a schedule that supports your overall well-being and your future self. Remember, your diary doesn't have to dictate your life; instead, let it be a tool that nurtures and empowers you on your journey through life. Cyclical living can be a great tool to support a more fulfilling, easeful life.