Habits, habits, habits. We love to talk about them, obsess over them, and convince ourselves that if we just stick to the perfect routine, we’ll finally have our lives together.
Scroll through social media, and you’ll see the same formula: Wake up at 5 AM. Meditate. Journaling. Workout. Green juice. Apparently, this is the golden ticket to productivity, success, and self-actualization.
And since it works “so well” for everyone else, you should do it too, right?
Because obviously, we should all shove ourselves into the same prepackaged mold—wake up at the same time, do the same things, and pretend we all function the same way.
…A little too cynical?
Why Forcing Rigid Routines Feels Like a Trap
Let me ask you this:
How many times have you tried to implement a new routine because someone else said it “changed their life”?
You give it your best shot. You follow the steps. Maybe it even works for a few days, maybe even a week. But then…
You start compromising.
Skipping steps.
Adjusting things to make it easier.
And before you know it, you’re frustrated, exhausted, and blaming yourself for “failing” at being consistent.
But here’s the thing: It’s not discipline you lack—it’s self-respect.
Most people don’t quit routines because they’re lazy. They quit because they’re forcing themselves into a structure that was never designed for them in the first place.
You’re Not Meant to Be the Same Every Day
We’ve been conditioned to believe that consistency should look the same, day after day.
That’s because the world operates on a 24-hour cycle—a cycle that aligns perfectly with male biology.
Men’s hormones reset every 24 hours, which means their energy, motivation, and productivity levels remain relatively stable day to day. It makes sense for them to thrive in rigid, repetitive routines.
But women?
Our hormones don’t operate on a 24-hour cycle. We run on a ~28-day cycle, just like the moon.
Our energy shifts in phases, which means our needs shift, too.
Your Energy Moves Like the Moon (Literally)
The menstrual cycle mirrors the moon’s phases. Your body naturally flows through these four distinct shifts:
Menstruation → New Moon → Your energy is at its lowest. This is a time for rest, reflection, and slowing down.
Follicular Phase → Waxing Moon → Energy starts rising. You feel more motivated, social, and creative. Great time to start new projects.
Ovulation → Full Moon → Peak energy, peak confidence. This is when you thrive in social settings, high-impact workouts, and big tasks.
Luteal Phase → Waning Moon → Energy begins dipping. You might feel more introverted, sensitive, or detail-focused. Perfect for deep work and tying up loose ends.
So let me ask you this:
If your body is naturally shifting through four different energetic states throughout the month, why are you forcing yourself to function the same way every single day?
It’s unrealistic. It’s unsustainable. And honestly? It’s setting you up for failure.
Your body already knows what it needs. But if you keep ignoring it—pushing when you should be resting, forcing yourself into routines that don’t fit—it will eventually force you to slow down through exhaustion, burnout, or resentment.
So, What’s the Fix? Start Tracking. Start Listening.
Instead of blaming yourself for being “inconsistent,” start tracking your patterns.
Because the more you understand your natural rhythms, the easier it becomes to build routines that actually support you.
Step 1? Start paying attention.
I created the Cyclical Routine Tracker to help you see your own patterns in real time. It’s an interactive tool that shows you exactly where your energy is rising and falling—so you can stop working against yourself and start working with your cycle instead.
Ready to start noticing your own patterns? Grab the tracker here.
Step 2? Learn how to actually build a routine that aligns with your cycle.
Inside Cyclical Self-Mastery, I’ll walk you through exactly how to map out a sustainable, customized routine based on your unique hormonal or moon cycle.
Because when you stop forcing yourself into routines that don’t fit and instead, start working with your natural energy? Everything becomes easier.
If this is resonating? Join me. Workshop details here.
The Bottom Line?
If you feel like you’re constantly “failing” at routines, the problem isn’t you. The problem is the outdated, rigid structure you’ve been trying to force yourself into.
When you start paying attention to your own rhythms, everything changes. Your routines become easier. Your habits feel more natural. You start moving through life with more ease and less resistance.
So why not start now? Grab the tracker, start noticing your patterns, and let’s get you on the path to routines that actually work.
What’s one habit you’ve struggled to stay consistent with? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear.
