Navigating the End of a Cycle: Embracing Rest and Reflection
"Fatigue makes fools of us all. It robs you of your skills and your judgment, and it blinds you to creative solutions." ~ Harvey Mackay
I've been practising cyclical living for a few years now and I still find the end of cycles sticky and uncomfortable.
This was particularly apparent to me last month. It was a Friday, the end of my working week, and it was day 25 of my menstrual cycle.
Those early autumn superhero vibes are so much fun, while they last.
I'd been having a super productive week. I was smashing through tasks that had been hanging out on my to-do list for months. I was feeling creative and confident, which in itself was invigorating. I was really enjoying those late summer/early autumn vibes that I tend to experience post-ovulation. In fact, this might be my favourite part of my cycle. I feel like superwoman: powerful, productive, and grounded.
So, I'd been riding this wave of getting sh*t done right until I got up on Friday morning. Suddenly, I was feeling a bit stuck. It was hard to focus. Nothing quite seemed to working.
I so desperately wanted to keep holding on to this vibrant productivity. I didn't want to let go of this energy; I wanted to keep pushing forward.
But I know I can't ride this wave forever.
This is the tension that signals the end of the cycle is just around the corner.
The stuckness, the lack of focus, the tension are all signs my body is telling me it's time to rest and to take a step back. I pushed myself this week, despite some less-than-ideal sleep thanks to an earthquake. I worked long hours, driven by excitement and determination.
I know this. Yet, here I am, facing a resistance within. It's the part of me that's reluctant to return to a slower pace, to let go of the urgency. What is it that I'm resisting? Perhaps, it's the story I tell myself that I must complete everything today.
What if I paid attention to what my body is saying? What if I took a break, had lunch, taught my authentic relating class, and see how I feel later? Does it really need to be done today? The answer is no. The urgency to finish today is self-induced and it's not true.
In the closing phase of a cycle, self-care means holding the tension. Last month for me, that meant consciously stepping back, acknowledging that I had a fantastic week, and it was enough.
Late autumn is the time to let it all go and hang out.
There's no need to squeeze out a little more productivity. Overachievers and overdoers often have this tendency to want "just a bit more," which creates internal tension and makes it challenging to slow down and rest.
I managed to take my own advice. I took a long lunch break, let everything percolate, and trusted that it would all be okay. And funnily enough, it was.
Recognising that it's time to slow down is tough for me. But it's so important to ensure I land in my inner winter, my bleed, with some grace and ease.
There will always be one more thing to do. Not every cycle has a neat and tidy end to it. The tender discipline we need to cultivate with ourselves is to lean into slowing down and resting even if it's not all done.
Often, it's that nagging thought of "just one more thing" that is the signal it's time to step back and take a break. Don't ignore it.
If you've experienced something similar at the end of cycles, whether related to your menstrual cycle or not, I'd love to hear your thoughts, experiences, or any questions you might have.
For more on cyclical living, check out the rest of the blog or download my free guide on getting started with cyclical living.