The Myth of Constant Productivity
The idea that we should show up the same way every day—same output, same motivation, same energy—isn't just unrealistic. It's out of sync with how human beings actually function.
Especially for women and creative professionals, energy doesn't move in straight lines. It moves in cycles. It ebbs and flows. And that's not a flaw; it's a feature.
Nonlinear Productivity: A More Accurate Model
In academic and creative spaces, people are beginning to acknowledge that productivity often unfolds in waves. Researcher Krista Lyn Harrison describes it as more like a sine wave or a tide—periods of intense work followed by quieter stretches of incubation. Thinking time, rest, and even disengagement are all part of the process. We've simply forgotten how to work in partnership with that rhythm.
What the Science Says About Energy Cycles
Hormonal rhythms can influence more than just reproductive health. They affect emotional regulation, creativity, confidence, and focus. Platforms such as FLO Living have been advocating for cycle syncing as a way to align work with biological rhythms, rather than constantly pushing against them.
Throughout the menstrual cycle, energy shifts in ways that can be both predictable and supportive—if we pay attention. According to Verywell Mind, during the menstrual phase, energy tends to be at its lowest, and introspection is heightened. This is often a good time for rest, reflection, and gentle planning. In the follicular phase, rising estrogen levels bring a boost in creativity and optimism, making it ideal for initiating new projects or brainstorming ideas. The ovulation phase is when energy peaks and communication skills are at their strongest, which supports collaboration, presentations, and high-impact social engagement. Finally, in the luteal phase, energy begins to taper off and sensitivity increases, making it a natural time to turn inward, refine work, and complete tasks that require focus and discernment. Even if you're not currently cycling, you may notice similar fluctuations tied to seasonal changes, moon phases, or your own creative rhythm.
What About the Research?
Some early studies found links between high-estrogen phases and increased creativity. However, a 2025 meta-analysis published in PLOS ONE concluded there is no strong evidence for significant cognitive shifts across the menstrual cycle. Instead, researchers suggest that while hormones may influence emotional processing or stress response, the measurable differences in cognition are often subtle and vary greatly by individual.
Still, the subjective experience of energetic variation is very real for many people. Context, environment, and personal awareness all shape how we engage with our work on any given day.
A More Useful Definition of Consistency
Instead of measuring consistency as equal output every day, consider measuring it by alignment. Were you present with what was real for you today? Did you show up in a way that honored your current resources—mental, physical, emotional?
The pressure to perform in a linear, always-on way often leads to burnout, especially in creative and caregiving-heavy professions. By contrast, a cyclical model invites intentionality. It allows for movement between phases: ideation, growth, refinement, and rest.
Creative Work Follows Natural Cycles
Much like nature, creative work has its seasons. There are times to plant seeds, times to grow, times to prune, and times to let the soil rest. Pushing through every season as though it's harvest time only depletes the system.
Research in neuroendocrinology also shows that hormonal changes can modulate emotional memory and stress response. During the luteal phase, for example, amygdala activity tends to increase, making this a good time for processing and integrating rather than launching or producing.
How to Apply This in Real Life
Track your energy levels. Use a simple energy tracker to map how your emotional, creative, and physical energy shifts over time.
Adapt your schedule where you can. Consider saving collaborative or high-output work for when you’re naturally more energized, and planning more inward or reflective work during quieter periods.
Normalize cycles in your environment. Whether in your personal life or professional setting, advocate for flexibility that honors these natural fluctuations.
Download the Circle of Control worksheet. This tool helps clarify what’s within your power on any given day—and what’s better released or postponed.
You are not a machine. You are a living system, influenced by internal rhythms and external seasons. Honoring your energy cycle isn’t an excuse to do less—it’s a strategy for doing the right things at the right time, sustainably.