Hi & Sat Sri Akal friend, I hope you are keeping well! I am cheering you on so hard as we round the bend of 2023 in the coming weeks. It’s the last new moon of the year today, and it’s got me reflecting on how we can all feel like we are living our best, rich, and rested lives in the new year.
In the fast-paced world of 2024, achieving work-life balance is more crucial than ever. Amidst the constant demands of work, personal life, and everything in between, the concept of cyclical living emerges as a powerful strategy for maintaining equilibrium. Here are five ways cyclical living can be the key to achieving work-life balance this year.
1. Embrace the Rhythm of Nature
Cyclical living encourages us to synchronize our lifestyles with the natural cycles of the world around us and for some of us, our menstrual cycles. By aligning our daily routines with the natural rhythms of the day and month, we can optimize productivity during peak energy periods and prioritize rest during natural downtimes. This approach not only enhances work efficiency but also allows for meaningful rejuvenation outside working hours.
2. Implement Seasonal Self-Care Practices
Just as nature experiences seasons, our lives too go through different phases. Acknowledge and adapt to these phases by incorporating seasonal self-care practices. In winter, focus on rest and introspection, while spring can be a time for growth and new beginnings. The same can apply to the four seasons of menstrual cycles, period, pre-ovulation, ovulation, and PMS. Here’s a gift to help you go deeper into this practice (Rest & Freedom: 4 Ways to Sync Life to Menstrual Cycles). This conscious approach to self-care ensures that personal and professional responsibilities are met with a balanced mindset.
3. Flexibility in Work Structures
Alright C-suite, this one’s for you y’all. Cyclical living promotes a flexible approach to work structures. Implementing flexible schedules, remote work options, and compressed workweeks can empower individuals to manage their time and energy better. This flexibility fosters a healthier work-life integration, allowing individuals to address personal commitments without compromising professional responsibilities.
4. Mindful Task Prioritization
Prioritizing tasks mindfully is a cornerstone of cyclical living. Recognize the ebbs and flows in your energy levels throughout the day and allocate tasks accordingly. Reserve high-energy periods for demanding work tasks, and use low-energy periods for more routine or administrative work. This tailored approach enhances productivity while preventing burnout. Also, put doooowwwnnn the phone y’all. Creating moments where you are on your laptop doing the thing you are meant to do in this very moment, without email, without text messages, without social media DMs, etc is just going to help you get sh*t done quicker, easier, and with less anxiety.
5. Digital Detox and Intentional Rest
In the age of constant connectivity, intentional rest is paramount. Incorporate digital detox periods into your routine to disconnect from work-related stressors. Set clear boundaries between work and personal life by establishing designated times for relaxation and recreation. This intentional rest allows for mental rejuvenation and contributes significantly to overall well-being. One of my favorite ways to do this is to have “phone-free” time with my partner and dog in the evenings. We both leave our devices in another room, sit in our living room, and have light conversations filled with as much laughter as we can possibly can. I also love a popcorn movie night cuddled up on the couch. Lately, I’ve been favoring sports documentaries and *ahem all. of. the. holiday. rom-coms.
In conclusion, embracing cyclical living in 2024 is a holistic approach to achieving work-life balance. By aligning with the natural rhythms of life including those of our menstrual cycles, embracing flexibility, and prioritizing self-care, we can navigate the demands of the modern world while fostering a sense of equilibrium between our professional and personal lives.
As we embark on this journey of cyclical living, let's prioritize balance, well-being, and a harmonious blend of work and life. You got this!!!
With love,
Taq
Dr. Taq Kaur Bhandal is the CEO of I’m With Periods. To learn from her, enroll in her online courses for women and partners (husbands, fiancés, boyfriends, etc.). She also has a guidebook called Self-Care Down There for all genders and sexualities with gender-neutral language. She is physically based in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Mi’kmaq Treaty Territories and spends an abundance of time on the west coast of Canada close to Vancouver, British Columbia with her family. Her ancestors and parents are from the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. She is passionate about long walks in the forest with her fiancé and dog, and reading rom-coms in the bath.