Now we get into the nitty-gritty of how to chart your perimenopause, the benefits it can bring and what to track. We look at:
- Menstrual charting suitable for when there’s a fairly regular cycle
- Charting for unpredictable cycles
- Charting for no discernable rhythm at all
This will give you the skills you need to find pacing and care through your perimenopause and right through to your Second Spring.
You might like to download and print a menstrual chart and a moon chart before you watch the video.
Here is the audio
Tracking by your natal moon
If you don't feel any discernable rhythm to your month, don't despair. Maybe you don't feel your energy allies with the full moon = intense, new moon = reflective rhythm at all! In this case, it can be helpful to track through the lens of your 'natal moon'. The 'natal moon' simply means the phase the moon was at when you were born.
This natal moon time can represent an intense Summery energy, and on the opposite side of the cycle, you are likely to be more Wintery and reflective. You can see from the image below that when I was born, the moon was two days before the new moon and that tends to be when I get lucky in all ways! Just before the full moon, that's when I'm slower, more reflective and Wintery. To find out when your natal moon is, just Google your birth date and time + moon phase. You can see an image of my natal moon on the chart below.
As a side note, many babies are conceived at the mother's natal moon because potentially there can be an extra fertile window there. It's a good time to be doubly sure of contraception if you do not want to have a child. Have a look at the work of Jane Bennett and Francesca Naish here if you're interested.
Download a menstrual chart here
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App recommendations
Bonus Resources
Sometimes when things are dark, it's hard to even imagine the possibility of hope. This deluxe 45-minute nidra offers the light of hope for when times are hard.
This 2-minute video gives a great tip for a way to create containment, especially if you're feeling anxious or fearful.
A little practice you can do anywhere to relieve overwhelm and come back into a calm state. 3-minute video
Why and how stress hits you hard
Short, clarifying article on stress in your 40's by Lara Briden.
Menstrual coach and educator Claire Baker with some lovely rituals for each season
Suggestions for food for health and symptom relief in perimenopause from nutritionist Severine Menem.
Next steps
All of this information and more is available in much more detail in my book Second Spring, so if you haven't already I highly recommend you get a copy for yourself. The other ways I can support you are:
Perimenopause Unwrapped self-paced, 21-day online course
Look more deeply inward to gain more insight into your cyclical patterning, develop the connection to your body, and access your intuition, to navigate your path through perimenopause with kindness and self-compassion.
Perfect for: those wanting to dive into their cyclical experience at their own pace, confident with independent enquiry in an online space, and wanting a great price.
See details of perimenopause Unwrapped
Menopause Doula Service
Year-long 1-2-1 support of regular sessions and check-ins in-between, designed to encircle you safely as you navigate menopause. Co-created to create support that works for you with possibilities of: Medicine Circles, mentoring, nidra, self-care planning, embodied intuitive guidance, accountability and a space to be witnessed and heard. You’ll be anchored in your process, expand the possibilities for growth and plan financially with predictable monthly payments.
Perfect for: those wanting ongoing 1-2-1 holding for deep processing through their transition, finding meaning, spiritual connection and vitality in their Second Spring.
See details of the Menopause Doula Service
Yoga Nidra Meditations
Online Yoga Nidra sessions give you precious time to rest. Each month I offer a bespoke Nidra to ground us into the energy of the season, to reconnect with the earth and recharge. The Nidra is recorded and each one is unique, responding to what you bring to the session creating a gentle, trauma-aware, healing meditation.
Perfect for: those wanting deep rest and healing who are nidra lovers, or nidra curious. SCreens off so no need to chat, share or empathise, just to lie down and let go!
See details of the Yoga Nidra Meditation season
Not sure? That's OK, just book a 15-minute chat and we can get together to figure out what would best work for you. No sales-bollocks, just showing up as humans.