The four seasons of your cycle, Part 2: Inner Spring
Image: Allef Vinicius on Unsplash
After the phase of menstruation, as our period subsides, we transition into a new phase: The Inner Spring. Understanding the different ebbs and flows of our hunger levels, libido, energy, focus, creativity and more, can bring you into greater connection with yourself. These ebbs and flows are called the Inner Seasons and, just like the seasons of the year, they all have different characteristics.
Reminder: How I experience my inner spring might look totally different to how you experience yours. You know your body best, and what you know to be true for you, is true for you! It’s totally okay to have a different experience than what I’m sharing.
Inner Spring
As your period ends, your inner winter transitions into the first throes of your inner spring. This is usually signalled by a return in energy, a lessening of menstrual symptoms and a desire to get back out into the world. If you have a very short cycle (meaning you ovulate early), your spring will be short. If you have a long cycle (e.g. if you have PCOS and your body takes a while to ovulate), your spring will be long. Your inner spring continues until ovulation.
Characteristics in nature
When we think about spring in nature, it’s the end of the big freeze. Snow recedes, flowers start to bud and hibernating creatures wake up. The days start to get longer and the temperature increases. Spring is also a time when some animals give birth, creating a feeling of hope and a new cycle of life. Grass becomes greener and leaves start shooting on the trees. Spring is a time for renewal, waking up and starting fresh. Spring can be unpredictable (hello, April showers!) and there can be random cold snaps too. In fact, here in Germany, they speak of the ‘Eisheilige’ or The Ice Saints, which relate to frost that usually happens around May.
Cycle characteristics
As your period comes to an end, you’ll likely find your outward energy returning as oestrogen rises in the body. If you’ve rested and reduced socialising, you may want to start seeing people again. Inner spring can feel a lot like coming out of a cave. Life can feel brighter and you may feel more optimistic. Physical strength usually also starts to return, as can libido and desire for intimacy. Your appetite might ramp up here too, with less cravings for carbs and sugar, and more cravings for fresh fruits and veg.
For some, inner spring can feel tender and vulnerable. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the things that need doing in your life, especially if you took time out in your inner winter. Anxiety can be very real here as you navigate the transition between menstruation and ovulation.
How to align yourself to Spring
While you might be feeling energetic and wanting to do all the things, it’s important to recognise that spring isn’t yet summer. Peaking too early is a real thing, which can leave you feeling burnt out in your inner summer. Aligning yourself to spring means treating yourself with gentleness, just as you would with a newly hatched chick, baby or budding flower. An analogy I like to use is with tomato plants. If you put them outside too early, before the Eisheilige, the frost can kill them. It’s not summer until it’s summer! Practically, this means not taking on too much and keeping yourself energetically held and supported until you come into full summer bloom.
Self-care tips for Spring
Some ways to care for yourself in inner spring include:
Detoxifying your body. This might include dry brushing, lemon water in the morning or with smoothies and juices
Holding onto boundaries to make sure you don’t take on too much, too soon
Beautifying yourself here can feel really nice. Paint your nails, do your eyebrows, make a DIY face mask or whatever else helps you to feel great in your skin
Return to exercise
Try something fun and new. Spring is about hope, optimism and lightheartedness, so if there’s a pole-dance/salsa/circus class you’ve been wanting to try, this is a great way to do it!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and anxious, making to-do lists can help provide clarity and make space in your mind
Tend to yourself with as much self-kindness and gentleness as you can
Inner spring can be a hopeful, playful time to step back out into the world after winter. Some prompts for you to ponder on:
How do you experience your inner spring?
Do you feel at home here, or do you feel overwhelmed and anxious?
Are you prone to taking on too much in your inner spring?
Next week, I’ll be going into the inner summer phase of ovulation.
If you’re curious about applying menstrual cycle awareness to your life, you can schedule a free 30min call with me or check out my coaching space.