Seasons of Your Cycle Series: Embracing Your Inner Autumn

Welcome to part one of my Seasons of Your Cycle series! I’ll be diving into what happens during your inner winter, spring, and summer in the weeks to come.

Although autumn is the last phase, I’m starting with it in honor of the Equinox earlier this week. Also, it happens to be the phase I’m currently in, so it all just worked out!

Alright loves! Let me step back and start at the beginning.

Just like the seasons change during the year, the menstrual cycle passes through 4 different phases too; referred to from here on out as our inner seasons. (Check out the overview here). If we listen to our bodies, we can maximize on the unique qualities of each of them.

Inner autumn is also known as the luteal phase- the time between ovulation and menstruation. All cycles are different, but as a broad example, this might fall on days 22-28. This is probably not your favorite time of the month. It’s not at all unusual to feel less energetic or less social, AND this is when PMS rears its ugly head. We sense a change, but what’s actually happening in our bodies?

Physical Effects

When an egg is released from the ovary, the follicle that it was in changes into what’s called the corpus luteum, and begins to produce progesterone and estrogen. The increased progesterone levels can bring on the start of PMS symptoms like bloating and breast tenderness.

If pregnancy doesn’t happen within around 10 days, the corpus luteum starts to break down. This causes progesterone and estrogen levels to plummet, resulting in fun side effects like mood swings, irritability, headaches, and more. Cramping is another hormone’s responsibility, but that’s coming in at the same time.

**Note- I know it’s confusing- increasing and decreasing progesterone levels both cause issues?? I just had to take a break from writing this post to go do more research because I’m confused too. Definitely a topic I’m going to have to learn more about. Possibly something to do with the estrogen/ progesterone balance? If I have any readers that are hormone experts, feel free to chime in!***

In addition, noradrenaline rises, which can cause anxiety and make us snappy and mean (by us, I mean me).

Phew! That’s a lot. Like I said, it’s not the preferred time of the cycle for most people.

But don’t go away, because I have good things to tell you too!

Emotional/ Mental Effects

Our inner autumn is a closing, the last season before a new cycle begins. Dr. Christiane Northrup refers to it as a time when we are “preparing to develop or give birth to something that comes from deep within ourselves.”

Creativity is at its highest during this phase, and so is intuition. This makes it an absolutely PERFECT time to spend some time by yourself (and with yourself). We feel emotions more intensely now than any other season, and our bodies are asking us to pay attention!

Your inner critic is likely to be paying you a visit as well. Now is the opportunity to hold the uncomfortable thoughts and feelings she brings up, and explore them. Hold yourself with kindness and compassion as you work through this process. Remember that you are most in tune with your inner self right now, and can determine what’s really important to you, as well as what may not be working out so well.

Time to align with *your* truth!

One suggestion- go ahead and address the issues, dig right into them, but don’t try to make a plan. Also, wait to make any important decisions. Autumn is not the phase for that.

So in addition to self-reflection, what are some other good activities during inner autumn? Try:

*Journaling

*Meditating

*Gentle yoga/ walking

*Bring out your creative side

*Take a social media break- remember, this is time to look inward, not compare yourself with others.

*Rest! Just take it easy for awhile. Your body and soul will thank you.

*Declutter your physical space

*Clearing rituals to rid yourself of emotional and energetic baggage (so you don’t have to carry it into the next cycle!)

The premenstrual phase is therefore a time when we have greater access to our magic—our ability to recognize and transform the more difficult and painful areas of our lives.

Dr. Christiane Northrup

My hope is that by understanding that this season is just part of the natural flow of our cycle, we can all embrace the power it has to offer. This premenstrual phase? It’s way more than PMS.

Did these tips help you embrace your inner autumn, or do you plan to utilize them when it comes around again? Please share your thoughts in the comments, I love to hear your feedback!

And make sure you check in again next week (or subscribe so you always know about new posts!) to learn more about inner winter.