One day you are super-active writing multiple drafts and other day you just want to shut this world off!
But do you know this has something to do with your menstrual cycle?
Dear women writers, let’s explore this together!
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The relationship between a woman’s menstrual cycle and her writing cycle is an intriguing area of exploration, particularly within the context of how hormonal fluctuations can influence cognitive functions, creativity, and productivity.
Here are several ways these cycles may be interconnected:
Menstrual Chart of a Writer
| Menstrual Cycle Phase | Hormonal Levels | Cognitive Effects | Emotional States | Energy Levels | Suggested Writing Tasks |
| Menstruation | Low estrogen and progesterone | Relief from PMS, clarity improves | Variable, often relief from PMS symptoms | Low to moderate | Light editing, planning, brainstorming |
| Follicular Phase | Rising estrogen | Improved verbal skills, memory, cognition | Stable, positive | Increasing energy | Creative writing, drafting, brainstorming |
| Ovulation | Peak estrogen | Heightened creativity, verbal acuity | High mood, sociability | High energy | Intensive creative tasks, complex writing |
| Luteal Phase | Rising progesterone, falling estrogen | Decreased concentration, detail-oriented | Mood swings, irritability, PMS symptoms | Decreasing energy | Administrative tasks, light editing, outlining |
A bit more details!
Menstruation (Day 1-5)
Those first few days of your period can be a wild ride, am I right? But at least those pesky PMS symptoms have finally given you a break since your hormone levels have dropped. It’s like ah, sweet relief!
The downside is your energy levels may still be all over the place during this time. You might feel pretty drained and blah on some days. Instead of trying to power through and tackle super intensive writing tasks, listen to your body’s needs.
Why don’t you go a little easier on yourself and just focus on lighter duties? Brainstorming sessions and just letting ideas flow freely can be the perfect way to keep your creative juices flowing without expending too much effort.
Save the real heavy-hitting writing, editing, and polishing for when you’ve got more gas in the tank. For now, use those low energy days to map out ideas, let your mind wander, and ease into your work gradually.
Follicular Phase (Day 6-14)
Alright, once you’ve made it through those first few days, it’s time for the Follicular Phase to work its magic! As your estrogen levels start climbing back up, you may notice your brain just feeling a little sharper and more on-point.
Skills like verbal abilities and memory tend to get a nice little boost during this time. So this can definitely be a great window to really lean into your creative writing juices and let those draft pages flow!
With more stable, positive vibes taking over emotionally, you’re in a prime headspace to freely explore ideas and get those first drafts down on paper (or screen!). Don’t hold back – this phase is like a creative thunderstorm brewing inside you, just waiting to be unleashed.
Take advantage of having improved focus and feelings dialed in. Whether you’re scribing poetry, fiction, or the next big novel, use this energizing phase to build momentum and make serious headway on fleshing out your initial drafts and ideas.
Just don’t put too much pressure on perfecting everything quite yet. Think of it as priming the creative pump and letting those inspired thoughts and words spill out naturally for now. You’ll have another phase coming up that’s perfect for the nitty-gritty editing!
Ovulation (Day 14)
Girl, get ready – it’s prime time for your creative juices to be overflowing during ovulation! As your estrogen levels peak, you’ll likely notice your mind feels extra sharp and those creative vibes are just radiating.
Your verbal skills and ability to put brilliant thoughts into words are operating at peak levels right now. Combine that with the mood boost and extra pep in your step energy-wise, and you’ve got the perfect storm for tackling your most ambitious writing projects.
This is the ideal window to really go hard on those intensive creative tasks or complex pieces you’ve been itching to pour your heart into. Whether it’s finally cracking that short story that’s been marinating in your brain or diving deep into your novel writing – now’s the time to strike while the creative iron is scorching hot!
You’re also likely feeling more social and outgoing, which can be great for collaborative writing if that’s your thing. Or just feeding off the energy and inspiration of others. Don’t be afraid to fully lean into that creative flow state while it’s raging.
Just try to carpe diem this phase as much as you can writing-wise, because those super charged creative vibes may start mellowing out soon after ovulation passes. Make the most of this creative peak period!
Luteal Phase (Day 15-28)
Alright, so we’ve ridden that creative high of ovulation and now it’s time for the Luteal Phase to work its hormone magic. As your progesterone starts ramping up and those estrogen levels start dialing down, you might notice some shifts in your mindset and energy levels.
For one, your ability to laser-focus and concentrate for long periods may start to wane a bit during this time. But on the flip side, you might find yourself becoming a bit more detail-oriented in your thinking. So while big picture creative bursts may be tougher, you could actually thrive at tasks that require a sharper editorial eye.
Be prepared for some potential mood swings as things get a little hormone rollercoaster-y. Those pesky PMS symptoms might also start to rear their ugly heads again as you get closer to the end of this phase. Meaning your energy reserves could start hitting lower levels too.
Rather than fighting it, try to strategically go with the flow. This can be a great time to take a little break from your most mentally draining writing projects. Instead, focus on lighter administrative tasks like outlining, making notes, and doing some light editing passes.
Give your brain a chance to work in that more meticulous, refined mode. While leaving the real creative heavy-lifting for another phase when you’ve got more gusto. Listen to your body, don’t try to force anything too ambitious, and you can use this time productively!
That’s all for today, let’s catch up soon!
