I barely remember what my menstrual cycle was like at 18. Not because it was perfect or easy — but because I never paid attention to it. I didn’t track it, honor it, or even think about it. I just pushed through my days like nothing was happening, like it was something to ignore.
Looking back, that version of me didn’t know she was allowed to slow down. She didn’t know her cycle was more than bleeding once a month. She didn’t know her body had seasons. She didn’t know her emotions had a rhythm. She didn’t know she was supposed to feel different from week to week — and that it was completely normal.
She just… didn’t know. And no one told her.
What I Wish Someone Had Told Me
I wish someone had explained the four phases of my cycle and how deeply they affect my emotions, energy, hunger, creativity — literally everything. I wish I had known the luteal phase (right before my period) could feel heavy and introspective, and that it wasn’t me being “dramatic” or “too emotional.”
I wish I had known my cycle wasn’t random. It was a map. A guide. A built-in rhythm that, if honored, could’ve made my life feel softer and less chaotic.
For so long, I thought a period was just… bleeding. Something you deal with so you can eventually have kids one day. No deeper meaning. No emotional layer. No intuition behind it.
But it’s so much more than that.
A Quick Breakdown of the Four Cycle Phases (in case you’ve never heard of them)
I want to pause for a second, because I know not everyone grew up learning the actual names of the phases. So here’s the simplest breakdown — no medical jargon, just real-girl language:
Follicular Phase (Spring)
This starts right after your period ends.
Your energy starts rising, your mood usually lifts, and you might feel more creative and social.
Think: new ideas, fresh starts, getting stuff done.
Ovulation (Summer)
This is your “peak energy” window — usually the time you feel the most confident, social, outgoing, and magnetic.
Your body is literally wired for connection here.
Luteal Phase (Autumn)
This is the slowing-down season.
Your emotions become a little louder, you might feel more sensitive or introspective, and your energy naturally drops.
This is where rest becomes important.
Menstrual Phase (Winter)
Your actual period.
Your body wants quiet, cozy, restorative energy.
It’s a time of release, reflection, and drawing inward to then bloom again.
How I Honor My Cycle Now
These days? My cycle has become one of my biggest self-awareness tools.
I literally plan my life around it — not in a rigid way, but in a way that feels supportive.
I track everything in my Health app, not because I’m extra, but because awareness makes my life easier. I can look at where I am in my cycle and immediately understand why I feel tender, sensitive, energized, hungry, grounded, or emotional.
And one of the sweetest parts?
My husband tracks my cycle too — to support me. During my luteal and menstrual phases, he massages me, cooks for me, encourages me to rest, loves on me, and gives me the calm I need. He knows what to expect, and he meets me where I am.
That support has changed everything.
Simple Tips for Anyone Wanting to Honor Their Cycle
- Track your cycle, even if it’s just in a basic app. Awareness is powerful.
- Pay attention to how you feel. Your body is always communicating.
- Use your follicular & ovulation phases for creativity, social plans, or anything that requires higher energy.
- Treat your luteal & menstrual phases like your emotional truth-tellers — the seasons of slowing down, processing, and turning inward.
- Adjust your physical activity. High-energy workouts are amazing during follicular/ovulation… but your body might want gentle movement or rest in luteal/menstrual.
- Honor your boundaries around intimacy. Give yourself permission to say yes when you feel aligned, and no when you need to protect your own energy.
How This Journey Changed Me
Understanding my cycle has helped me understand myself.
My emotions make sense now.
My energy makes sense.
My cravings make sense.
My mindset makes sense.
When you honor your cycle, you stop fighting yourself.
You stop feeling confused by your emotions.
You stop abandoning your needs.
You start navigating life with compassion, clarity, and acceptance. Your cycle isn’t a burden.
It’s a guide.
And learning to flow with it might just be one of the most empowering things you ever do.