Follicular Phase

Ovulation is often seen as the “strongest” phase of the cycle, perhaps due to the slight rise in testosterone, the dominant male hormone. However, I would argue that my follicular phase has a certain energy that is feasibly the most energizing and invigorating. 

By properly honoring the slowness and rest that comes with the menstrual phase, I am able to reap the abundant benefits that come with the next phase of the journey. As my body prepares for ovulation, energy levels are up. I am ready for long mountain rides and difficult yoga poses. Work ideas are heavily planned and implemented. It’s a time to face challenges head on. To fully utilize my increasing vitality as I lead up to the ovulatory phase.

I still take the time to listen to my body, but I find that I don’t need as much rest during this phase. 

It’s easy to feel unstoppable.

And maybe because I truly believe that I am strong, I allow myself to actually emanate that strength. To take it in and use it to my full advantage. This is the time that I truly can do ANYTHING that I put my fucking mind to.

I am strong! I am capable! I am beautiful! 

I haven’t experienced pregnancy, yet I feel like the follicular phase allows me to microdose the glowing nature of the second trimester. Each day that I get closer to ovulation, I can feel my energy rise and climb, as if I am jogging up a slow and steady trail and feeling the “runner’s high” kick in. I feel the effects of confidence and total health. My mind is sharp. My muscles are powerful. My skin is vibrant. 

I keep up on cleanliness, but my physical body and skin doesn’t require as much attention as the other phases. I use light topicals like toners made with frankincense and witch hazel. Maybe a little bit of tea tree oil here and there, but I found that my skin doesn’t need the excessive amount of heavy creams and oils that it might soak up during other times of the month.

I notice that my body is putting in the work to become full and supple on its own …the underlying reason being because it is preparing to attract a mate and bear offspring, but I will gladly embrace these perks. 

Another factor for the extra energy and liveliness comes from the food I choose to eat. Intuitively, I am drawn towards plenty of vegetables and fruits, accompanied by proteins. I stock my fridge with fresh seasonal produce. In daily meals, the lightness and brightness of colorful plants is balanced out with hearty foods like quinoa and eggs. 

Chicken eggs are the one animal-based food that I have come around to.

After having a weird dream about eating a full egg back in 2020, I decided to make the switch towards a strictly plant-based diet. During this time, I learned to be mindful about what I put in my body, as well as gained a certain appreciation and knowledge on how to make some bomb-ass meals from only plants. 

However after a couple of years, I eventually made my way back to only a mostly-vegan diet. The only exception (eggsception)?? Farm. Fresh. Eggs. Everyone’s body is so different; I have found that this lifestyle best fits my body’s needs at this present moment. And luckily, at this present moment, I am also often gifted gorgeous colorful eggs from family and friends who tend to chickens. 

I do want to recognize the ceremony and gratitude that I hold whenever I cook or bake with these eggs. While it is technically not “life” in scientific terms, each egg represents the possibility of “life”. 

And maybe I see this weirdly mirrored in my own cycle.

Some kind of egg exchange.

These eggs offer me nutrients that I need to produce energy, which I hope to give back to the Earth in a positive and effective way, especially during my follicular phase. 

I honor this sacrifice by using the totality of each egg. In addition to consuming and enjoying the contents, I also crush up the shells to help nourish my plants. Eggshells are primarily composed of calcium carbonate, which is a fantastic fertilizer for plant soils. 

I fuel myself. 

And I fuel my plants. 

The plants, in turn, produce oxygen-rich air for me to breathe. And I produce carbon dioxide for the plants. This little home ecosystem that we have created energizes me from the inside out, and eggs have become an integral part of this monthly ceremony. 

In fact, one of the biggest shifts in mindset has been to make every little thing a ceremony. Particularly in the follicular phase, it’s easy to only look at what’s next. I want to do all of the things. I want to see all of my friends. I want to enjoy all that the earth and my body has to offer because I feel newly energized. 

But I can’t let my mind drift away from the present moment. I must savor each endeavor. Each bite of food. Each moment that I take to let my mind rest and reset. Living in the present is most important during this time, as it will be echoed in the rest of my cycle. 

By properly nourishing my body with food and rest during my follicular phase, as well as empowering myself to be present as I complete my essential daily tasks and participate in my favorite activities, I have set myself up for a relaxed and care-free second half of my journey. As I am reaching a peak, my body is preparing for the next stage: ovulation.