Cycle syncing
For so long, I used to wonder why my energy and mood fluctuated so much from week to week. Some days I’d feel creative, motivated, full of energy, and others, I’d feel tired, sad, or unmotivated for no clear reason. I’d start to question myself, wondering if I was just burnt out or doing something wrong. But once I learned about cycle syncing and started tracking my period, it all started to make sense
Women’s bodies move through a roughly 28-day hormonal cycle, known as the infradian rhythm, while men’s hormones reset daily within a 24-hour window. That means their energy and mood tend to stay fairly consistent from day to day, while ours shift naturally throughout the month
Each phase brings its own rhythm:
During the menstrual phase, when we’re bleeding, our energy is lowest, and it’s a natural time for rest, reflection, and slowing down
Then comes the follicular phase, when hormones start rising again, and we often feel more optimistic, creative, and ready to start new things.
In the ovulatory phase, energy peaks; it’s when we’re usually most social, confident, and outwardly focused
Finally, the luteal phase arrives, hormones begin to dip, and we may feel more emotional or tired, craving quiet and comfort before our next cycle begins
Now, when I feel more sensitive or drained, I don’t assume something’s wrong with me. I check where I’m at in my cycle. If I’m in my luteal phase, I know that wave will pass soon. It’s comforting to understand what my body’s trying to tell me instead of fighting against it
Tracking my cycle has helped me work with my body instead of constantly pushing through or blaming myself for feeling off. I use the app Lively, which I genuinely love because it’s simple, intuitive, and even lets my husband follow along. He can see what phase I’m in, when I might need extra rest or when I’ll likely feel more energetic and up for adventures, without me having to explain every time. Which might seem like a small thing, but when we are feeling tired and emotional, we don’t always have the clarity of mind to share why with the ones we love
There are plenty of period tracking apps out there, like Flo or Clue, but what I love about Lively is how it feels supportive, not clinical. It reminds me to honour my body, listen to my energy, and lean into each phase instead of fighting it
Cycle syncing isn’t about perfection; it’s about awareness. It’s learning that your body isn’t unpredictable or broken; it’s just following its own rhythm. Once you start paying attention, you realise how much easier life feels when you move with your body, not against it
