For 11 years, I didn’t have a real menstrual cycle.I was on hormonal birth control from my teenage years into adulthood, and while it did exactly what it was supposed to do, it also meant I wasn’t ovulating, wasn’t having a normal menstrual cycle, and wasn’t exactly aware of how deeply hormones shape my energy, creativity, mood, libido, and even my confidence.In this episode, I’m expanding on a recent newsletter I shared and walking you through what I learned when my natural cycle finally came back. I break down the four phases of the menstrual cycle, what’s actually happening hormonally for me in each phase, and how those shifts show up for me physically, emotionally, and creatively in my work. I also share how tracking my cycle changed the way I plan my life and manage my energy, and also stopped me from spiraling every month when motivation or confidence dip.This is not an anti–birth control episode. The pill is an incredible tool for so many people, and everyone’s bodies and needs are different. This is simply my personal experience of reconnecting with my cycle and the unexpected sense of trust, peace, and empowerment that came from finally understanding my body’s rhythms.If you’ve ever felt like you’re “bad at routines,” inconsistent, unmotivated out of nowhere, or confused by sudden shifts in how you feel, you’re not broken. You’re cyclical. And there’s wisdom in that.Sponsors:Bayer: Check out Bayer's trusted lineup of products, available at Walmart, CVS, Amazon, and Walgreens.Wedderspoon: Go to https://wedderspoon.com/discount/REAL20 for 20% off your order.Vuori: Get 20% off your first order at Vuroi.com/REALSTUFFMagnetic Me: New customers get 15% off at MagneticMe.comWatch this episode in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjmevEcbh5h5FEX0pazPEtN86t7eb2OgX To apply to be a guest on the show, visit luciefink.com/apply and send us your story. I also want to extend a special thank you to East Love for the show's theme song, Rolling Stone. Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealstuffpod Find Lucie here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciebfink/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luciebfink YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Subscribe to my free newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribeSubscribe to "The Creator Confidential": http://www.luciefink.com/confidentialExecutive Producer: Cloud10Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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