Every month I have to consciously focus on intentional living right before my cycle. It’s crazy how whacky my mind can get the few days before and at the start of my cycle.
If you’re anything like me, maybe you have experienced feelings of overwhelm, laziness, imposter syndrome, and an overall feeling of just blah. I know it’s coming, and yet when it hits me, at first I let it take over.
So each month, I lose a day or two as I wallow in my questioning of what I’m doing with my life, my business, and anything else that might matter.
Then boom, just like that, it hits me that I do this every month. Yes, this takes a day or two to recognize. And I think that’s because it’s still relatively new. It’s only be about a year that I have been experiencing this, so for the last few decades I never did.
When that boom goes off in my head I start to consider what I need to do to get back on track.
The First Step Back to Intentional Living
The first thing that I do is take a seat and close my eyes. I focus inward on the beautiful understanding of what is happening to my mind and body. I appreciate and acknowledge what my body is going through and the emotional see-saw it takes me on every month.
I focus on my breathing and intentionally hush my thoughts, take in my surroundings, and inhale and exhale slowly through my nose. This slows me down, it allows me time to collect myself again and confidently remind myself of who I am and why I like to practice intentional living.
Of course, this doesn’t always have to be based on my cycle, I can reconnect anytime needed, but it usually only is needed due to my cycle.
Declutter My Mind
I consciously think of each negative or hindering thought I have been allowing to creep into my mind over the last few days and quiet them. I consider each thought, why I had it, and then say goodbye to it.
I respectfully dismiss it and tell it that it has no place in my life or my mind.
As I go through this process I am creating more space in my mind for respect for myself and my surroundings. I find the positive in my life and let that overtake the emotional mess I have wallowed in for 48-72 hours.
Sometimes this process can take just a few minutes. Other times, it takes longer. If it takes longer, I stay with it and take the time I need to clear my head.
Revisit my To-Do List
I always have a to-do list. It’s part of my daily routine. I write it every night for the next day. However, when I am going through this process I like to revisit it and adjust if needed. Typically, when I am in this state of mind right before my cycle I do not fill my to-do list reasonably.
By that, I mean I either add way too much because I am trying to convince myself that I can do more than I actually will. Or I have hardly anything on it.
Typically, I have a very good understanding of how much I can get done in a day and the time it’ll take to complete each task. But during this part of my monthly cycle, I do not. All of that understanding of myself from years of just being me fall by the wayside.
Time for Self-Care for My Intentional Living Reset
Next, I usually take a moment (or longer) for self-care. This could be different every time I go through this. Sometimes I journal and free-write about my current feelings and thoughts. Or I write a letter to my future self. I might do a guided meditation on a particular topic if something is still sitting heavy within me.
There is also a good chance that I will take a bath or hot shower. Whichever I am feeling. I love water, being in water is where I feel most at peace, so I make time for it. Even just a quick shower rejuvenates me.
Understanding yourself and finding what helps you when you’re stressed is essential to self-care.
Here are some easy ways to incorporate self-care into your life.
Close My Social Media
This is the time of the month that I can get absolutely lost in social media. I find myself scrolling from reel to reel like it’s my job. Nothing really settles in, it’s just an empty satisfaction that I crave.
So, now is when I close out of it and put it away. I don’t want to focus on the lives of people I don’t know. Instead, I refocus on myself and my priorities. Once I get my focus back, this step is easy for me. It’s like a switch flips and I have no desire to continue my scroll.
Be Kind to Myself
Experiencing the same thing month after month can be quite frustrating. It is easy to get annoyed with myself and expect that I should be able to manage this better than I do. But that’s when I need to remind myself to be kind to myself.
This is part of who I am and what happens to my mind and body. It’s okay and I need to support myself through it. As frustrating as it is, it won’t be better if I am not kind to myself.
So I focus my gratitude on my life, my mind, and my body. I appreciate myself and tell myself how much I am thankful for my life, my friends, my family, and everything else that makes me me.
What Are Your Tips for Intentional Living
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