Run your creative business with seasonal energy and cyclical rhythms for sustainable success
Women in business know there’s magic to being your own boss, especially in a creative industry.
We don’t want to be told what to do. We’ve experienced enough of that in our lives.
And…at our cores…we’re creative beings! And we’re magical as fuck…so we want to make our own stuff.
But working for yourself is demanding.
There are clients to serve, creative ideas to develop, marketing to keep up with…
…and for those of us who rely on our creative energy, keeping that flow going is like a never-ending task.
I’ve learned how much easier and fulfilling it can be to align my work with the cycles of nature and my own body.
I run a service-based business, working closely with clients on creative projects, and—over the years—I’ve noticed a pattern in my own energy.
Sometimes, I’m full of ideas, reaching out to people, and pushing big plans.
At other times, though, I’m knackered…and I need to rest and reflect.
Instead of pushing through and forcing myself to stay productive all the time, I’ve found that respecting these cycles—the natural ebbs and flows of my body and of nature—makes all the difference.
In this post, I want to share how I learned (or still learning - it's an ongoing process!) to sync my business rhythms with the seasons and my menstrual cycle, and how doing so has helped me create a sustainable approach that keeps my energy fresh and my business thriving.
The Seasonal Cycle & Our Energy: A Natural Connection
The four seasons each bring their own energy, and as women, our bodies naturally respond to similar phases in our monthly cycles.
Just like the seasons of the year, our menstrual cycles also follow a rhythm of rest, growth, peak, and winding down.
When we understand these cycles, we can set up our businesses to work with our energy instead of against it.
Imagine a world where your rest days are as valuable as your most productive days—because, as I’ve found, they absolutely are.
(And why aren’t we taught this stuff? I mean…half of the population gets periods. We need to embrace this conversation!)
So let’s look at the seasons of nature and the cycles of our bodies...
And I'll share some copywriting tips along the way.
🍂 Autumn: Reflect, Adjust, and Wind Down
As autumn arrives, nature starts to slow down, and for many of us, our energy also begins to wane.
This is the same as the luteal phase in our cycle: the days leading up to menstruation when we can feel a bit more introspective and less energetic.
For me, autumn is a season of transition, a time to reflect on the summer’s work and start wrapping up loose ends.
In business, autumn is when I go back over what I’ve created, assessing what worked and what didn’t.
It’s also a perfect time for “editing”: reviewing and refining my offerings, reorganising my workflow, and, if I’m honest, clearing out what’s not adding value.
This is the season for quality over quantity.
I take the pressure off myself to do it all and focus instead on doing things thoughtfully.
So…how can you do this monthly?
Simple.
During your luteal phase, do autumnal things!
Use this time to feel the pull to slow down and reflect, assess what’s working in your life and what you can let go of. Take some quiet time to reflect and get clear on what you want to bring forward into the next cycle.
Copywriting Tip for Autumn...
This is an ideal time to review and refine your business messaging on revising your existing content. Look over your website copy, social media profiles, and any active ad campaigns. Consider simplifying or updating your messaging to make sure it’s still in line with your values and goals. This is also a good time to assess which offers are resonating with clients and make small tweaks for clarity and impact.
❄️ Winter: Rest, Restore, and Go Inward
Winter is the season of rest.
Nature goes dormant, plants conserve energy, and things go dark.
It’s like the menstruation phase of our cycles: a time when our bodies crave rest and restoration.
We wanna be on the sofa with a hot water bottle, a bar of chocolate, and have a good cry. No work here!
For me, winter/menstruation can feel like the hardest season to embrace because we’re so used to pushing forward.
But over the years, I’ve learned that winter/menstruation rest is not only necessary…it’s actually the most productive thing I can do.
In my business, this is when I take a step back and allow myself time to fully recharge.
I use this part of the bigger and smaller cycle to reflect on the larger picture, letting myself dream and plan for the future, but without pressure.
It’s also a brilliant time for deep creative work, like envisioning long-term goals or rethinking the direction of my business.
For a service provider like me, it’s about setting myself up so that when I’m back in spring-mode, I’m ready to hit the ground running.
Give yourself permission to truly rest. Let yourself ease off and allow time for hobbies or creative pursuits that don’t have anything to do with work. Remember, winter is about renewal; when you allow yourself to restore fully, you’ll be ready to embrace the next spring with genuine energy.
Copywriting Tip for Winter...
Focus on reflective work, which can be channelled into the foundational elements of your copy and messaging. Use this time to brainstorm and dream about your business’s future. Reflect on the deeper “why” behind your brand and let this season inspire fresh ideas for long-term goals. Jot down notes for future campaigns, taglines, or value statements without pressure. This quiet time can reveal authentic insights that will fuel powerful messaging in the months ahead.
🌱 Spring: The Phase of New Beginnings and Fresh Energy
Spring is all about new growth.
It’s the season when everything starts to wake up and bloom, and for me, it’s when I start to feel that fresh burst of energy.
In terms of our menstrual cycle, this phase is like the follicular stage, which happens after menstruation, when we naturally start to feel more energised and open to new ideas.
In business, I love to use this part of the cycle to get inspired and experiment with fresh ideas.
This is the time when my creative juices are flowing, and I’m excited to look at what’s possible.
If you’re anything like me, this is an amazing time to brainstorm new offerings, outline projects, and maybe even get a bit playful with your social media content.
You don’t have to lock anything down yet; instead, allow yourself to explore and try out different things without the pressure of perfection.
Take advantage of that extra energy by setting up plans for the months ahead. Try creating a vision board or jotting down new ideas for your business, even if they seem wild at first. You might be surprised at how many of them take root later on.
Copywriting Tip for Spring...
This is the season for trying out new ideas and testing them with your audience. Channel your creative energy into drafting new content ideas or experimenting with different styles in your social media and marketing materials. Try brainstorming blog topics, new email series, or interactive social media posts. Use this time to let ideas flow freely without judgment. Create drafts or outlines that you can refine later.
🌞 Summer: The High-Energy Phase of Execution and Visibility
As we move into summer, we hit our peak energy.
Nature is vibrant and abundant, and many of us feel at our best during this time: motivated, social, and ready to tackle big goals.
In our menstrual cycle, this aligns with ovulation, when we tend to feel more confident and outwardly focused.
In my business, summer/ovulation is when I go full throttle.
This is when I tackle major projects, book new clients, and schedule as many networking and collaborative meetings as possible.
It’s an ideal time for launches or putting yourself out there…whether that’s on social media, through events, or by reaching out to potential clients.
I find I’m much more confident and can keep up with higher demands, so I try to save any energy-intensive tasks or big goals for this season.
Make the most of your energy by setting yourself stretch goals. This is a brilliant time to promote your business, pitch your ideas, or take on a big project that you’re genuinely excited about. Remember, though, to avoid over-scheduling; you don’t want to burn out by the time autumn rolls around.
Copywriting Tip for Summer...
Take advantage of your high energy by launching big initiatives, like a new campaign or product launch. Write bolder, persuasive copy that showcases your enthusiasm and invites your audience to join you. This is a great time to focus on visibility efforts—pitch your brand to podcasts, collaborate with others, and share testimonials and success stories that highlight your work.
Embracing the Business and Menstrual Cycles: How to Work with, Not Against, Your Seasons
When I first started out, I’d feel guilty every time I hit a slow period, convinced that I wasn’t being productive enough.
But as I began to work with these cycles, I realised I didn’t have to run on full speed all year round. By syncing my work with my energy, I’ve found more joy, balance, and sustainability in both my life and my business.
Here are a few things that have made all the difference for me:
1. Plan Your Calendar with the Seasons/Cycles in Mind
Block out times for intense client work or big projects in the spring and summer (follicular and ovulation), when you’re more energised and outgoing.
Save your quieter, “inward” work—like reflecting, organising, or creating content plans—for autumn and winter (luteal and menstruation) when energy is naturally lower.
2. Track Your Menstrual Cycle
Tracking my cycle has been one of the biggest game-changers. Knowing when I’ll likely feel my best and when I’ll need rest means I can plan my workload around my natural rhythms. It allows me to honour both the go-getter in me and the part of me that needs rest.
3. Rest Without Guilt
Remember that rest is productive. I used to worry about slowing down, but now I see rest as an investment in my business. When I let myself recuperate in the winter, I’m able to go full throttle in the spring and summer with real excitement.
4. Reflect and Stay Flexible
At the end of each season, take a step back to reflect on what worked and what didn’t. This practice helps me stay in tune with what my business really needs and keeps things fresh.
The Beauty of Flow: Trusting the Process
Aligning my business with the natural cycles has made a huge difference in how I feel about my work and life.
Instead of pushing myself to be “on” all the time, I’ve learned that by embracing these rhythms, I actually get more done…and enjoy the process far more.
Each season has its purpose, and by allowing ourselves to rest, reflect, and act when the time is right, we build businesses that aren’t just successful but truly fulfilling.
So here’s to working with the flow of the seasons, our bodies, and our creative cycles…and building businesses that bring us joy in every phase.
And here’s another pro idea: work with other women service providers to maximise productivity by leveraging the difference in our monthly cycles. When you’re in your menstrual phase, I might be in full-throttle ovulation mode…let me take on some of your work. I’ll write your monthly blogs and newsletters while you munch on chocolate in front of the telly.
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