International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the incredible women in our lives, community, online and in the larger world who are working to create a better world. They inspire us, create inclusion, encourage us and find solutions to problems. It is also a great chance to reflect on the progress we have made in creating equality and inclusion, while also recognizing the work that still needs to be done. 

Inclusion means making space where everyone feels safe and welcome. It means opening doors to people who might otherwise have no access. It means making sure that our business marketing, contracts, conferences and more include people from different backgrounds, cultures and abilities. Representation, friendly language, boundaries, clear communication, and accommodations are some strategies.

Equity means recognizing that not all women face the same challenges and barriers and that we must address the intersecting factors that contribute to these inequalities. To embrace equity means to embrace the things that make people unique – be that race, gender, religion, age, shape or ability. And I truly believe that true inclusion means embracing differences and celebrating them.

But… can equity for women truly exist while periods are taboo?
While fighting natural ebbs and flows to achieve ‘productivity’ is the mark of success?
All while dealing with body image that is preyed upon to drive sales.

What if we also embraced the seasons that we go through?

Moving through the stages of life brings seasons
Your interests and passions will come in seasons.
Your ability to dig into a goal and power through things will also be in seasons.
Your cycle brings seasons.

While it can be challenging at times, embracing the different seasons that we go through during a flow can help us to better understand and appreciate our bodies.

So, embrace the flow and honour rest!⁣

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Here are some tips to help find flow⁣

Delegate (Share the work and life to-do list)⁣: Delegating tasks can be an effective way to find flow in our personal and professional lives. When we delegate, we are able to prioritize our own tasks and responsibilities and focus on the areas where we can be most effective.

By entrusting others to handle certain tasks, we free up mental and emotional space, allowing us to concentrate better on the work that requires our attention. Through this, we can find a sense of ease and flow in our work, allowing us to be more productive and ultimately achieve greater success.

Reflect (Especially near the end of your cycle look back at what does and doesn’t work. What fits? What goals do you want to set to move forward.⁣): Taking time to reflect allows us to gain clarity and perspective on our goals, values, and priorities. Through reflection, we can identify what truly matters to us and make decisions that align with our personal and professional aspirations.

Additionally, reflecting on our past experiences and accomplishments can help us to build self-confidence and strengthen our sense of purpose. By regularly reflecting on our thoughts, feelings, and actions, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.

Allow Creativity (Honestly life felt pretty grey before I started painting again. It brought my own joy out again.): Creativity allows us to think outside the box, explore new possibilities, and generate innovative solutions to problems. When we allow ourselves to be creative, we tap into a sense of curiosity and wonder that can help us to find new and unexpected paths towards success.

By allowing creativity to flow in our lives, we can tap into our innate sense of joy and fulfilment, ultimately leading to a greater sense of ease and balance in our daily lives.

Listen to yourself (Need a nap? Craving a curry? Need a girl’s night? Lean into the intuition)⁣: When we tune in to our thoughts, feelings, and intuition, we gain a deeper understanding of our inner selves and can better align our actions with our true desires and values. Listening to ourselves can also help us to identify when we are out of balance or feeling stuck, allowing us to make necessary adjustments to our routines or lifestyles to regain a sense of harmony.

Moreover, by actively listening to our bodies and emotions, we can develop a greater sense of self-care and compassion towards ourselves, leading to a greater sense of overall well-being.

Notice when things feel easy: When we pay attention to the tasks and activities that come naturally to us, we can identify our strengths and passions, and focus our energies on the areas where we are most effective. Noticing when things feel easy can also help us to identify when we are in a state of flow, where we are fully immersed and engaged in the task at hand, and time seems to fly by effortlessly.

Setting up a new tech tool or tackling a DIY project will be easier in follicular.
Sending a high quote or going to an event will be easier in ovulation.
Cleaning the house or batch cooking will be easier in luteal.
Rest and journaling will come more easily in menstrual.

Have conversations (Talk about how you are tweaking your week or ask your partner for what you need.):⁣  Engaging in meaningful conversations with others can help us to broaden our perspectives, learn new things, and gain fresh insights on our own experiences and beliefs. Through conversations, we can build deeper connections with others, foster empathy and understanding, and cultivate a sense of community and belonging

By having conversations with others, we can tap into a sense of ease and flow, where ideas and thoughts can be shared and explored in a safe and supportive environment.

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Equity is a huge topic and so much more than this! But I don’t think we will ever find true equity in our world when the expectation is to push through and keep up with the 24-hr cycle that demands energy and ‘get shit done’ daily.

Remember, You don’t need to earn rest. Productivity doesn’t mean working all the time.

On this International Women’s Day, let us commit to creating inclusive spaces where accessilibility is a priority, people feel safe and that their needs are taken into account.  To work towards a future where all women can thrive and reach their full potential. You are amazing. 😍