This year I have been thinking about the intricate relationship between energy, mood, and the natural cycles of life. While working with my female coaching clients, I noticed a common struggle: the inconsistency of energy and mood and how that can lead to feelings of low self-worth. Many women I worked with spoke to me about their constant need to feel productive and accomplished. This striving for perfection often leads to stagnation and frustration, especially when life’s challenges and emotional triggers arise.

In my own life, I have struggled with low mood and low energy, particularly when I am feeling hormonal imbalance. Years ago I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Endometriosis, both of these ailments have left me struggling with the ups and downs of imbalanced hormones. I noticed a few things: it all begins with awareness.

Why am I feeling low? What emotions are arising? When do I feel high energy? Can I chart my moods connecting with the time of the day? The time of the week? The time of the month?

In this blog, I will share some things that have helped me to understand feminine cycles and navigate low energy and mood throughout the years. 

Recognizing Inconsistencies in Energy and Mood

Most of my A-Ha moments begin early in the morning, a time when I often receive clarity and inspiration from my intuition. One particular morning, I was struck by the realization that many of my clients grapple with the need for consistent energy and the pressure to always be productive. Let’s be honest, there are so many societal expectations, often amplified by social media, that create a perception that women must always be “on” and achieving. However, the truth is: we are human beings, we are inherently cyclical and rhythmic in nature.

I remember the first time I attended a women’s circle and was introduced to the concept of the circle. A women’s circle is an ancient practice to align ourselves with the patterns and cyclical nature of the Earth. According to Spirituality & Health, “Our female ancestors gathered in the red tent and moon lodges as a sacred space to connect, especially during menstruation. Religious groups, like the pagans and Celtic Christians of the 5th and 6th centuries, joined in women’s circles. So too did Jewish women throughout the centuries to observe Rosh Chodesh, the first sliver of the moon at the “head” of the month.”

Through these women’s circle I was able to realize the beauty of a circle – it has phases, it has a beginning, a middle and an end. Think about the seasons, think about a waves that crash upon the shore, think about a new baby and an old grandmother. Everything in life honors the cycle.

Earlier this year there was an incident with our large Italian Mastiff named Superb. One night, Superb killed a small bird in our back yard, an event that shocked me and my children. This experience served as a stark reminder of the cycle of life and death, a theme that has been particularly resonant for me this year, especially after attending several funerals of family and friends.There in my back yard with the small bird, surrounded by the beauty of spring in Maryland, with blooming flowers and baby animals, I reflected on the duality of life—how death and new life coexist and how this mirrors our own emotional and energetic cycles.

Nowhere in nature do things constantly stay in bloom. All of nature points us to the highs and the lows of life.

Embracing Natural Rhythms

It’s is truly essential to honor the cycles of life and to recognize that it is perfectly normal to experience periods of low energy or mood. Instead of pushing through these feelings or labeling them as unproductive, I encourage you to take a more compassionate approach. I invite you to ask yourself these essential questions when you are feeling low – try them as journal questions:

• Why do I really need to feel productive?
• Where does that need come from?
• What happens when I slow down? 
• What do I feel about winter? 
• What makes me feel warm and satisfied in the winter?
• What season of my life am I in right now?
• What is a way to honor this season?

By tapping into your own rhythmic nature you can connect with your own timing and realize that instead of always doing, you must spend some time BE-ing.

The key to understanding your own cycle of low or high mood is to  spend time in self-reflection and curiosity about your own emotional state. Emotions always come in layers, take some time to explore the underlying emotions that may be contributing to their feelings of blockage or stagnation. By examining when these feelings began and what might have triggered them,you can gain deeper insights into their meaning.

Practical Tips for Managing Energy and Mood

Over the years I have come to realize that experiencing low energy or mood is not a sign of failure but rather a natural part of the human experience. As we get better with listening to our own bodies and intuition, we can start to recognize the signals to slow down and reflect. By embracing these moments of inertia, of nothingness, of death, of renewal, we can tap into our own creative energy and find greater satisfaction in our lives.

Cycles are a great part of being a conscious being on this planet. Every cycle, whether it be daily, weekly, or yearly, presents opportunities for growth and understanding. Most importantly, it’s important that we are gentle with ourselves during times of low energy, and remember that these phases are temporary and part of a larger journey.

Actionable Advice for Embracing Your Cycles

If you are struggling with low energy or mood, here are some practical things I have found to help you manage:

Taking Note of Your Energy

Daily Cycles – Pay attention to your energy levels throughout the day. Identify when you feel most energetic and when you need rest. Write it down in a journal and come back to it after a few weeks or a month to see patterns forming
Weekly and Monthly Cycles – Notice patterns in your mood and productivity over the course of a week or the month. Are there specific days when you feel more motivated or more drained?
Yearly Cycles – Reflect on how different seasons affect your energy and mood. Do you feel more vibrant in the spring and summer, or do you thrive in the cooler months?

Practice Self-Compassion

Acknowledge Your Feelings – Recognize that it’s okay to feel low energy or unproductive at times. These feelings are a natural part of being human.
Be Kind to Yourself – Treat yourself with the same compassion you would offer a friend. Avoid self-criticism and instead, offer yourself understanding and support.

Reconnect with Your Intuition

Mindfulness Practices – Engage in mindfulness practices such as meditation, journaling, or deep breathing exercises to tune into your inner wisdom.
Listen to Your Body – Pay attention to physical cues from your body. If you feel tired, allow yourself to rest. If you feel energized, channel that energy into creative or productive activities. Honor your menstrual cycle, take time to rest during your first few days of bleed.

Release the Pressure of Constant Productivity

Redefine Success – Consider what success means to you beyond productivity. Focus on personal growth, well-being, and fulfillment.
Set Realistic Goals – Set achievable goals that align with your natural rhythms. Allow flexibility in your plans to accommodate fluctuations in energy and mood.

Remember…

It’s okay to experience fluctuations in energy and mood. By honoring these cycles and practicing self-compassion, you can cultivate a deeper understanding of yourself and your physical and emotional needs, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and balanced life!