Understanding Our Inner Spring: Nurturing Creativity
Menstrual Cycle Awareness: Inner Spring
If you're new to menstrual cycle awareness, it might be helpful to start with an introduction to the phases in this blog post.
Understanding Inner Spring
Our inner Spring occurs as the bleed part of the cycle ends and we move towards ovulation. It is sometimes referred to as the follicular phase of the cycle as it is when the ovaries are developing one of the follicles to be released later in ovulation.
Our Inner Spring also occurs in various parts of our life cycles: menarche (first period), first trimester of pregnancy and post-menopause when we have a second spring! Like those delicate new shoots and leaves we can see outside, we need to treat ourselves with a little tenderness during this phase.
Qualities of Inner Spring:
Our Inner Spring has similar qualities to nature's spring of rising energy and growth. This rise in energy is even more noticeable if we have been able to rest during the bleed. You may find yourself more interested in outside life, more inspired or full of ideas you want to work on. There can be a keenness to get back into the world and get on with things.
Equally you may feel an uneasiness or anxiety as your energy rises but your psyche is not quite ready for the full-on-ness of everyday life. This is where charting is useful so you can discover which parts of you cycle are more challenging and prepare for them next time round.
The key qualities of Spring are curiosity, playfulness, experimenting, inspiration, discovery and getting ready.
If we think about the time of life this first occurs is the transition from childhood to adulthood. If you look back on your own life you may well find how you experienced this phase of your life correlates to how you experience this part of your cycle. This may give you some insight into what your needs are during this time.
Tending to our Spring qualities helps us be more creative. Surveys of children have shown a high percentage fall into 'creative genius' category, yet this is radically reduced by adulthood. By allowing play, curiosity and experimentation we can create the right mental and emotional environment to reconnect with our natural creative genius.
The key practise for Spring is to not rush, to give yourself space and time to ease back into the world gently. This can sometimes feel frustrating if we have rested well for the bleed but we need to be mindful not to rush into things too quickly.
Firstly our energy is not fully back so we could exhaust ourselves, but more importantly, if we rush into task focused ‘doing’ too quickly, we miss out on the opportunities for inspiration and new ideas by being playful and curious.
We need to allow ourselves to ‘make mistakes’ while experimenting and not expect perfect results straight away, especially if we are trying something new. We are not annoyed or disappointed with blossom for not being an apple already! It comes in its own time.
Inner Spring can be a good time to plan out and explore new ideas. Again, rather than rushing into a quick fix, you may find a better solution by taking time to play with different options, do some research, make vision board or whatever works for the task at hand. When you have a clearer plan you can then take action during Inner Summer.
Spring Self Care:
Tenderness and self-compassion are the most important acts of self-care we can give.
Start moving more but avoid hardcore exercise, a long country walk is gentler on the body an allows your mind to wander and come up with ideas and solutions. Swimming and yoga are also wonderful.
Have a short morning practise to ease you into the day, you might like to listen to a meditation or do a short yoga practise.
As it is the phase of renewal you may like to have a little detox through some gentle skin brushing and drinking hot water with lemon.
Have a massage or some reflexology to help your body get back into flow and shift any stagnation. This is also really helpful if you are prone to anxiety.
Have fun doing things that inspire you, maybe attend an exhibition, take a dance class or visit somewhere new.
On new projects, schedule time for creative visioning, research and planning.
Hold firm with your boundaries to avoid you taking on too much too soon, especially if this is a vulnerable time for you.
Remember: If we try to peak too soon in Spring we can lead ourselves to burnout or overwhelm in our Inner Summer.
If you'd like support with your menstrual health, I offer well-woman reflexology, one-to-one yoga classes, and online restorative yoga sessions. Or feel free to email me with any questions you may have.