A Simple Guide to the Inner Seasons

Domi

5 hours ago

11 min read

Picture this: you’ve been feeling creative and overflowing with this dynamic energy, seeing endless possibilities in everything starting projects and jotting down ideas. You are so full of energy it’s difficult to even finish anything you started because the ideas just keep flooding your brain. And it’s not just that. You may feel like meeting up with friends, going on dates, exploring the world, and sending constant voice notes to your friends because you really want to share all those epiphanies that are coming one after the other.

And then POOF, almost as if out of nowhere, your energy seems to shift. Life just kinda loses that spark; you start feeling a bit lost, lose some of that bubbly energy, and then all of a sudden you find yourself in a headspace where you feel calmer, grounded and motivated to get that overflowing mailbox sorted with spot-on categories and colour-coded labels and that situationship doesn’t really mean as much anymore as it did a couple of days ago because it’s clear that you are the one you want to focus on.

Can anyone relate to this?

I thought so.

That’s why I want to give you a simple guide through the ebbs and flows of what we can look at as our inner seasons.

SO, WHAT EXACTLY ARE THE INNER SEASONS?

Just like the outer seasons have a way of naturally flowing into one another, we can use four inner seasons as a way to understand the different parts of our menstrual cycle: autumn, winter, spring and summer.

The idea to draw the parallel between both the inner and the outer seasons gives us a way to understand which energy shifts and moods we may move through in each phase of our cycle and how we can support ourselves. Rather than looking at the recurring patterns of these shifts and changes as a rulebook, they are amazing guidelines to help us understand our own body’s rhythms better.

Once we find that trust and understanding in our own bodies and unique patterns again, a whole new world of possibilities opens up. Knowing your body's natural flow and rhythms can be truly empowering. And just like the outer seasons, our inner seasons naturally flow into one another.

Keep reading to find out about each individual season and how they generally work.

WINTER – THE SEASON IN WHICH WE REST ❄️

Our inner winter or menstrual phase starts on the first day of our bleed and marks the first day of our new cycle, which is important if you would like to start tracking your cycle. The menstrual phase marks the beginning of the follicular phase, which continues until ovulation and makes up approximately the first half of our cycle.

So. Inner winter, right? What does that even really mean?

Let’s start by thinking about what the outer winter season feels like and what we usually do, feel, and eat.

It usually gets cold(er) outside, there’s less daylight, we tend to spend more time inside, wrapped in a nice blanket, enjoying warm, nourishing food and herbal teas, preferably in front of a nice fire or in a heated house.. It’s the perfect time to hibernate, recharge and tune into what our intentions are for the new seasons upon us.

With all of that in mind, comparing this to how we feel during our bleed might give you an AHA-moment because you can start connecting the dots of how inner and outer winter relate to one another in many ways.

Generally, during our bleed, we might feel more vulnerable or sensitive. This can partly be attributed to the hormonal changes that take place at the end of our previous cycle, as oestrogen and progesterone levels drop.

So, theoretically, the best way to take care of ourselves in inner winter would be to hibernate, eat warm nourishing foods, drink herbal teas, and keep ourselves cosy and warm while we rest until the bleed stops.

In reality, I know for a fact this is pretty unrealistic because we have a life that, unfortunately, usually can’t be on hold for an average 3-5 days in which we bleed. That’s why I like to look at ways we can still take care of ourselves in our busy schedules.

My practical tips for inner winter regardless of the busy schedule:

- Keep your belly and feet warm with nice socks and a hot water bottle (bring them to work if you can’t chill at your couch!)

- Have a nice selection of herbal teas ready to travel with you anywhere you need to go (there are so many cute travel tea bottles for sale these days, get yourself one!)

- Take 5 minutes (I know you can, even if it means cutting back on some scroll time) to reflect on how you’d like this new cycle to go; write down what your intentions are, and what you’d like to let go of

SPRING – THE SEASON IN WHICH WE SPROUT 🌱

Inner winter prepares us for the next season in our cycle: inner spring. This season represents the later part of the follicular phase of our menstrual cycle, when a dominant follicle develops and the egg inside it matures in preparation for ovulation.

Just like outer spring, when seeds are planted and carefully start to sprout, our inner spring is a season in which new energy slowly starts seeping back in.

The common catch in both outer and inner spring is that, as soon as we notice the slightest signs of newfound energy, we tend to jump straight into action rather than give it time to grow strong enough to really benefit from it.

I like using gardening as a metaphor for life. Have you noticed?

So, anyway, I like to think of spring as the season when we start seeing the first signs of summer. We get excited about the prospect of frolicking in the sun, yet there can still be some nasty cold days when we wonder when we'll finally be able to turn the heating off.

With that in mind, let's go back to our inner spring. The energy is slowly seeping back into our bodies, oestrogen levels are starting to rise again, and yet we might still feel a little withdrawn from the world.

What this season asks for is simpler than you think: it asks you to tune in to what your body needs. Move with the energy you feel and keep yourself warm when needed.

Rather than expecting yourself to go from the depths of winter, where you might have been reflecting and withdrawing from the world, straight into an exhilarating spring where you're suddenly loving HIIT classes and feeling more social than ever, give yourself some time to transition.

As this season generally lasts around 7–10 days in a typical cycle, I invite you to start trusting your natural rhythms and tuning into the little changes you notice along the way. Learn to recognise the gradual return of your energy rather than expecting it to be consistent throughout.

You likely will feel like starting a project, gain more confidence to have a chat to your manager or get back on the dating apps and yet it’s okay if that’s simply not available to you. Use the energy you have and roll with it whilst being mindful that tuning in and taking some rest is still an option. If you feel like your energy isn't picking up at all, make a note of it and keep track of how you're feeling throughout your cycle.

My practical tips for inner spring, whether you're experiencing a consistent burst of energy or not:

- Check in with yourself daily to learn where you are at both mentally and physically

- Try a new class, set up a project, or text that guy if you feel like it (only if the guy is actually nice to you, that’s my only note)

- Move in a way that works for you (this one applies to all seasons actually)

SUMMER | THE SEASON IN WHICH WE BLOOM 🌸

BRACE YOURSELVES, AS SUMMER HAS ARRIVED! ☀️

Our inner summer marks the shortest of all the seasons in our cycle and is associated with ovulation. This is when the mature egg is released from the dominant follicle. It can then be fertilised if sperm are present, or, if fertilisation doesn't occur, it will eventually degenerate and be absorbed by the body.

Ovulation itself is a relatively short event, and the egg remains viable for approximately 12–24 hours afterwards. Because ovulation is such a brief event, inner summer is often considered the shortest of our four inner seasons.

Where outer summer usually stands for sunshine, cocktails, fun and late nights at the beach, inner summer can feel quite similar. Oestrogen has been rising throughout our follicular phase and reaches a peak just before ovulation. For some of us, this can go along with feeling more confident, social and outgoing.

As far as seeing the menstrual cycle as a superpower goes, this season might be short but can be incredibly powerful for certain aspects of your life.

This season could give you a kick in the butt to initiate that challenging conversation, book a ticket for a solo trip or run your quickest 5k ever.

While all of this can be true, I also want to remind you that you don't have to squeeze everything into these few days. Enjoy the energy you have but remember that you still have an entire second part of your cycle ahead of you. There's no need to burn yourself out trying to make the most of every single moment.

What this all means?

Definitely enjoy the summer vibes while they last but also remember that this season is usually fleeting.

So, go run, frolic and enjoy all the things!

AND be prepared for the shift you might feel as you move into your inner autumn.

My practical tips to be the queen of this tiny season called inner summer:

- If you feel like trying something new, putting yourself out there or doing something that takes a little confidence, go for it 💪

- Move your body in the exact way that feels right for you

- Enjoy it while it lasts!

AUTUMN | THE SEASON IN WHICH WE LET GO 🍂

The final inner season and generally the longest of our four inner seasons. Lasting around 10–14 days in a typical cycle, autumn represents the luteal phase of our menstrual cycle.

It’s essentially, like we know our outer season, a season in which it can still feel like summer at the start but with a little shift. It may get cooler, but the heat can still be in the air and the further you get into the season the colder and darker it may get.

While outer autumn marks the season in which we harvest whatever we have planted in springtime and get the soil ready for winter, our inner season represents something similar.

It’s the season in which we may start to turn a bit more inwards. This can be a result of hormonal changes following ovulation, particularly the rise in progesterone, which helps prepare the uterine lining for a potential pregnancy.

Both inner and outer autumn can look like a beautiful gradual progression from a late inner summer feeling to a deep inner autumn feeling with all the feelings and changes that come along with it.

While some of us may notice our energy becoming more stable or feel a little more grounded during inner autumn, it's unlikely that we'll go from peak summer energy to a deep inner autumn feeling overnight.

Everyone has their own unique pattern when it comes to experiencing inner autumn. But, generally speaking, we may want to take rest a little more seriously and allow ourselves to slow down if that's what our body needs.

Does that mean we now have to slam the brakes on your weightlifting and high-intensity workouts?

Not necessarily, but if that works for you, then yes.

Please allow yourself to explore what works for you in this season and find that unique balance between limiting yourself due to what this season can represent and pushing too far because you feel like you need to prove your cycle has no impact on your energy level or mood.

Because in the end, the luteal phase can be a time when we notice changes in our energy and how much we feel like doing. Whether you need to slow down, adjust your workouts or simply carry on as usual, the important thing is to listen to what your body is telling you.

And isn’t it just the best to watch the leaves turn orange on a beautiful autumn day and curl up under a blanket with a hot drink afterwards because there’s a chill in the air?

As you may be able to tell, both the inner and outer versions are my personal favourite and I believe that a lot of women still see this season as a burden, especially towards the end because that’s when the discomfort tends to occur.

And would you believe me if I said that debilitating period pain isn't something we should simply accept as part of having a menstrual cycle?

Some mild cramping can be common and may be eased with a warm water bottle or a cup of tea. But pain that is severe or regularly disrupts your daily life deserves attention. It's not something you should have to put up with, and it's worth discussing with a healthcare professional, even if pain relief helps.

And that’s the beauty of knowing how your unique body and cycle work and how to recognise which little changes you can make in each phase to support yourself in the next one. And so on.

My final practical tips for a beautiful and incredibly meaningful inner autumn:

- Get cozy with beautiful scents like Clary Sage or Patchouli in your diffuser (find out more about shopping your essentials through Young Living here)

- Take note of your energy and move with it rather than against it

- Go for a nice (barefoot if weather allows) walk, be with nature

BEFORE I SIGN OFF, PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THIS

A few notes, actually.

What I’ve just written down is a general view of the menstrual cycle and how it’s usually perceived. There isn’t a single practical tip I gave that can’t be applied to any other phase of your cycle. It’s really about finding out for yourself what works best.

That's why I highly recommend anyone who would like to become more attuned to their cycle to start tracking it on paper, rather than relying solely on an app. You can use a cycle tracker like the one you can download (for free!!) on the homepage of my website.

Furthermore…

Unlike the outer seasons, our inner seasons are not the same length as one another. The lengths of each cycle and cycle phase can vary and each woman’s cycle and experience around it is unique to them.

Then there’s this thing called cycle syncing which means to adjust your entire day-to-day life to your cycle. This is where I stand on that: you can do whatever you want in whichever phase of your cycle to the degree that feels comfortable to you. If that means you feel like lifting weights or going for runs during your inner autumn and winter, you should. If that means you feel like resting more and withdrawing from the world during your inner spring and summer, you should. And if that means you feel most creative in your deep inner autumn, work with it!

The point of living more in sync with your cycle is to learn what feels right for you rather than keep living according to yet another rigid system that can only work in the most utopically stable circumstances, and that's not the reality we live in.

It’s our intuition we are trying to reconnect with and this little voice or feeling will be able to tell us everything we need to know about what we need, we just have to learn to listen or feel into it and I know we can!

Rather than comparing cycles, I believe it is much more powerful to discuss our own individual experiences, which I encourage you to do.

There truly is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to how we experience our cycle. However, if anything related to your cycle feels out of the ordinary, or you're simply unsure about something, I encourage you to keep track of what you're experiencing and seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Don't be afraid to ask questions or seek a second opinion if you feel something needs further investigation.