How to sync your calendar with your cycle, be more productive and win at life

Babe. Girl. Petal. Let’s get real for a second. The whole “being productive” game?

It’s rigged. No, seriously.

We’ve been told that if we just manage our time better, wake up at 5am, and cram more into our day, we’ll somehow nail it. But have you ever stopped to wonder why this approach feels so out of sync with how you actually work?

Our society is set up around a 24-hour productivity cycle. Why?

Because that’s the length of a man’s hormonal cycle.

Yep.

The world - our workday, the productivity gurus, the hustle culture - it’s all bloody tailored around the body clock of the masculine version of the species we call humanus. It’s like they’re running Android, and we’re over here on macOS wondering why our apps don’t work.

The truth is, as menstruating women (yes, I said it), our cycles don’t run on a neat little 24-hour reset. We work on a monthly cycle. So why the hell are we trying to structure our lives like men? Especially when our bodies are screaming for us to lean into a rhythm that’s uniquely ours?

In this post, I’m sharing how working with your cycle can help you be more productive, creative, and, most importantly, create more time than you’ve ever had before.

The Great VIP Day Fail (Or, Why I’ll Never Schedule a Big Meeting on Day 1 of My Period Again)

Here’s a little confession for you. I recently scheduled a VIP day—a full-on, intense, high-energy day with a client—on the first day of my period.

If you’ve ever tried to “power through” your first day, you already know how this story ends. It was a disaster.

I mean, sure, the day was fine, but let’s be real: fine is a four-letter word in my world. The client didn’t know I was struggling, but internally, I was counting the minutes until I could crawl under a blanket and hibernate. It took me two whole days to recover from that single VIP day because I ignored what my body was screaming at me: don’t book high-energy work when you feel like death (I think).

And that’s when it hit me. Instead of fighting my body’s natural rhythm, I needed to work with it. Enter: cycle syncing.

What the Heck is Cycle Syncing?

Let’s break it down. Cycle syncing is the art of aligning your tasks, projects, and work with the phases of your menstrual cycle. If this sounds woo to you - hang tight. There’s actual real science behind this.

Our hormones fluctuate throughout the month in a pretty predictable pattern, and these changes affect our energy, creativity, and focus. By syncing up your work with where your body is at during the month, you can stop swimming against the current and start flowing with it (boo-boom ching).

Society may have set us up to work like men, but by synching your monthly calendar with your monthly cycle, you actually get to break the rules and work on a timeline that aligns with your peaks and troughs - supercharging your energy and capacity to achieve your goals.

Why Aligning Your Work with Your Cycle is a Game-Changer

Once I started syncing my work with my cycle, a few magical things happened. And I want the same for you.

1. More Free Time (Yeah, You Heard That Right)

When I shifted from planning my work day-to-day or week-to-week and started planning monthly, I naturally found more free time. Yup, more time for Netflix, cuddles with the kids, or actually taking a break (imagine that). By planning around my natural energy bursts, I could batch my creative tasks, get more done when I was in the zone, and—get this—rest when my body told me it needed to rest.

It’s like finding extra hours in your day, except those hours were there all along—you just weren’t seeing them because you were trying to push through when you should’ve been resting.

2. Less Hustle, More Motivation

We’ve all been stuck in the hustle loop. You push and push, and instead of feeling accomplished, you end up burned out. The thing is - motivation (that elusive magical momentum giver that’s always there when we’re either in the shower or at 2am, never there when we actually sit down to do the thing) comes when you work with your body, not against it.

When you know a chunk of free time is coming up because you planned your month like the productivity wizard you are, it feels like a reward. You can push through the busier periods with the knowledge that rest is on the horizon. And the more you respect those energy ebbs and flows, the easier it becomes to stay motivated—no more white-knuckling your way through your to-do list.

3. Building a Life (and Calendar) That Feels Good

Why did you start your business in the first place? If the answer is anything along the lines of freedom, flexibility, or living life on your terms, this is for you.

By planning monthly and aligning your work with your cycle, you can build a schedule that works for your life—not the other way around. For me, that meant popping in those little non-negotiables, like time with my kids, a walk in the sunshine, or a coffee date with a friend. And the best part? I didn’t feel guilty for doing it because I knew my work would still get done - and I’d be left with more energy as a result.

4. More Variety, Less Monotony

I don’t know about you, but doing the same thing every day makes me feel like I’m stuck in some endless version of Google Calendar Groundhog Day. One of the biggest perks of cycle syncing? Variety.

One day, I’m at my desk smashing out creative work. The next, I’m out at a café, meeting a client or brainstorming new strategies. Planning around my cycle gives me the freedom to mix it up, which—let’s be honest—keeps things interesting and keeps me energised.

5. Leverage Your Energy Peaks (and Give Yourself a Break During the Lows)

This one’s huge. We all have days where we feel like we’re on fire, and then there are days where just the thought of answering an email feels like running a marathon. That’s not laziness—it’s biology. And instead of fighting it, we can learn to work with it.

When I started syncing my tasks to my cycle, I stopped feeling guilty for those low-energy days. I used my high-energy, creative phases to blitz through big projects and left the admin or mindless tasks for when my energy dipped. It was like unlocking a whole new level of productivity—one that didn’t leave me feeling drained.

The Four Phases of Your Cycle (And How to Use Them)

Here’s how you can start syncing your tasks with your cycle. I’ll break it down by phase:

1. Follicular Phase (Days 6-14)

This is your creative spark phase. Your energy is ramping up, and you’re feeling excited and full of ideas. Use this time to plan, brainstorm, and start new projects. For me, this is when I batch my blog posts, record podcasts, and knock out those brainstorming sessions that require me to be on top of my game.

2. Ovulatory Phase (Days 15-17)

Ovulation is your confidence peak. You’re full of energy, charisma, and ready to connect with others. This is the time for meetings, face-to-face client calls, and any project that requires social interaction or presenting. You’ll feel like a total boss (because you are).

3. Luteal Phase (Days 18-28)

This is your deep work phase. Your energy starts to dip, but your focus is sharper. Use this time for project work, admin tasks, or anything that requires quiet focus. It’s not the time for big social interactions, but it’s great for getting down to business and checking things off your list.

4. Menstrual Phase (Days 1-5)

Ah, the hell phase. I won’t sugarcoat it—it’s rough. But instead of trying to push through and act like everything’s normal, use this time for reflection and evaluation. Look back at the month, review your goals, and plan ahead. This isn’t the time for heavy lifting (unless heavy lifting means lifting a cup of tea and a blanket).

Wrapping It Up

Look, the hustle culture was never made for us. The 24-hour cycle wasn’t built with women in mind. So why are we trying to fit into a mold that was never made for us in the first place?

Syncing your work with your menstrual cycle isn’t just about “feeling better” (although, who doesn’t want that?). It’s about owning your energy, reclaiming your time, and giving yourself permission to be the productive badass you are—without burning yourself out.

So, are you ready to ditch the 24-hour productivity trap and start working with your cycle instead of against it? Start small. Track your cycle, pay attention to when you feel your best, and plan your month accordingly.

Catch you on the flip side (or during the follicular phase when I’m feeling my best),

Kat xo