Accepting and Supporting Our Natural Cycles

Lately, I’ve been thinking about the natural cycle of nature and how it might feel really good to think about our own experiences as a cycle of nature. There are times when we are growing and blooming and times we are dormant. Life stressors and experiences and even times of the year can create different levels of dormancy. Many of us can be hard on ourselves when we feel extra tired or unmotivated or less productive. But what if we looked at our lives as a natural cycle? When I watch the cycles of the trees losing their leaves and then going dormant and cycling into sprouts of growth I don’t question the process. So why should we question our own experiences with growth versus dormancy? What would life look like if we accepted our different natural cycles?

Let’s look at a definition as we explore this idea further… “dormancy, a state of reduced metabolic activity adopted by many organisms under conditions of environmental stress or, often, as in winter, when such stressful conditions are likely to appear. There are few environments in which organisms are not subject to some kind of stress. Some animals migrate vast distances to avoid unfavorable situations; others reduce environmental stresses by modifying their behavior and the habitats (immediate surroundings) that they occupy. Still another mechanism used by some organisms to avoid stressful environmental conditions is that of dormancy, during which an organism conserves the amount of energy available to it and makes few demands on its environment. Most major groups of animals, as well as plants, have some representatives that can become dormant. Periods of dormancy vary in length and in degree of metabolic reduction, ranging from only slightly lower metabolism during the periodic, short-duration dormancy of deep sleep to more extreme reductions for extended periods of time.”

Sometimes I also like to think of our growth process like the cycle of a butterfly. I know for myself before I learned the tools that we teach in this community I felt cocooned in overwhelm. Then as I did my personal growth work I felt that I experienced coming out of the cocoon and into myself. I see many of you doing the same in your own cycle of growth. Watching you emerge and fly and blossom like a butterfly as you accept the beautiful parts of you as an HSP is so beautiful!

What if we accepted these cycles of growth and dormancy like we do in nature? What if we understood our seasons and could nurture ourselves instead of being hard on ourselves? What if we pruned away what isn’t working so we could encourage new growth? What if we fertilized our needs consciously?

Just like a plant that needs certain conditions to thrive what if we created those conditions for ourselves? Do we need more light? Better fertilizer? Do we need to adjust our environment to encourage more growth? We don’t blame the plant that needs a different type of condition to thrive. Why blame ourselves? What if we stopped using up our energy being hard on ourselves and instead tended to our own garden with love? 

It’s interesting to think about it like this isn’t it?

Here are some thoughts from members of our Sensitive Empowerment Community that you might resonate with…

• I love the dormancy idea so much and needed this, Julie Bjelland!  I have been noticing and feeling guilty that I don't feel compelled to keep up with working out as I've done this year to find health and mental balance during the pandemic.  Yet, I've also heard my inner voice suggest shifting to lighter more fluid movement during this dark and cold time.  My being is tied into the rhythms of light and the struggle began and ramped up on cue and pace with the days shortening. ...and if I can practice reframing the struggle as an opportunity to focus and prioritize only that which nourishes me during dormancy, I can find balance and emerge refreshed and ready for spring.  I am grateful for this community and space to be among kindred spirits!

• So true that we don't question these cycles in nature and we are hard on ourselves when we seem to be more 'dormant' at times than others.  I think I have experienced this pretty much my whole life and am only now really learning to create more acceptance during these times.  It certainly creates a difference in how things are perceived and received and helps us step away from being in 'survival mode'.

• Love the analogy of the "HSP butterfly"! 

  This discussion reminds me of a discussion in Eckhart Tolle's "Power of Now" where he explains that there are cycles of high and low energy. He says that illness can be created when we don't accept the low cycles, which are vital for regeneration, and instead try to be in the high cycles all the time.

• Such a beautiful and inspirational sentiment! I think there is so much wisdom in looking at our lives as a natural cycle. I’m certainly one who has always struggled with the transition into the darker winter months. Healthy acceptance of the growth and dormancy processes is so key. I definitely needed these words today!

• I love reading this, it is actually so funny because I just posted a couple comments on this community that were the spirit of what you have written here, and all my poetry so far has been about nature and metaphors for people and their lives and cycles therein. I just am further validated that I belong here, and I am at home with like-minded and amazing people that I understand and connect to fully in ways I never experienced before learning I was an HSP.  I am so grateful actually. Thank you for posting this and making me feel like I am on the right track. 

• This brings up ideas of cultural norms that homogenize or flatten peoples experiences or cultural backgrounds. Often in schools or other learning settings there is an expectation placed on students or faculty to perform at a certain level or in a certain way and then everyone is held to the expectation to reach that level. But we know that these expectations are not reachable or natural for everyone. By its nature it centers some and marginalizes others. Those that defy these expectations are labeled problematic or lacking which has an adverse impact on the students.

• I watched a few videos yesterday from Sweden and their season of less light and hygge. And I really wished I was there to experience this season of turning cozy and inward, maybe even “dormant”, and it being accepted as the norm! Sometimes pruning away what isn’t working for me seems to be taking ages and I’m so glad it’s headed to winter where I live as that that season matches well with my personal cycle right about now.

• Your reference to feeling like you were cocooned in overwhelm completely resonates with me.  Very thankful to be feeling a lot more like a butterfly these days. Thanks for the validation 

• Julie, thanks for sharing this--so beautifully expressed.  I've thought of these cycles and written about them in the past.  I've even crafted and given creative writing workshops that support these cycles of dormancy and growth.  While sharing these workshops with others, I notice how I don't allow myself the time to immerse in the processes that I offer others. 

• What wonderful musings about our connection to nature! 🦋 I appreciate you normalizing the ebbs and flows of our cyclic existence with dormancy being a beautiful time of incubation. I try to remind myself that we were never supposed to be static beings with a consistent level of energy just to "keep up" in the world, nor were we supposed to always show up positive and upbeat because that's what makes people comfortable. We are creatures of nature, after all, 🌱Anyone else here affected by the cycles of the moon and/or the planets? 

• Thank you, Julie - I love this visual metaphor, too, and feel that it also applies to my monthly hormonal cycle. It's an ongoing practice for me to be kind to myself during the days of the month that feel more physically/mentally/emotionally challenging! 😻🦋

• I enjoy following the Moon cycles and knowing where my planets are and marking up my calendar so I know the "cosmic climate" for the week. I feel most affected every month on the lead up to the New Moon ...wow, yes, that dark moon phase right before the sliver of New Moon peeks out , that's a biggie for me.

• This was a timely post! I've been feeling quite low in energy and not very productive lately, especially now the days are feeling so short and dark here. I had great plans for this last month or so, but life has thrown me some unexpected curve balls (as it will!) and all things considered, I'm finding it hard to focus. My instinct has been to accept it instead of fighting it, slow down and prioritize taking care of myself, so thank you for affirming that idea!

• I definitely feel I'm experiencing a winter season as I move into my 60's.
  My energy has dropped way off, and feel very protective of it. I'm also secretly glad when anything has been removed from my plate.
  This is very different from the goal-oriented, hard-driven me who was set on accomplishments. I'm adopting an attitude of "being rather than doing". It feels good.

• I couldn’t agree more. I would even go further to say that trying to go against the grain of this natural cycle and stay busy and productive or put meaning into every day is actually the stressor!
  

What if you let yourself experience the natural cycles without self-judgment? What if you practiced self-compassion and acceptance instead? If you aren’t yet a member of our community we invite you to join us in this special place and continue the conversation! Learn more here ❤️

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Julie Bjelland is a Psychotherapist specializing in high sensitivity, host of The HSP Podcast, and Founder of the Sensitive Empowerment Community, whose mission is to create a paradigm shift where sensitivity is embraced, valued, and honored. Julie offers multiple essential resources for educating, inspiring, and empowering HSPs. Register for her free Masterclasses and profoundly transform your life in her courses and community. Her HSP Dating Group is a safe space bringing together conscious, kind, caring HSPs (both Hetero and LGBTQ+). Her HSPs in Business Group supports and empowers sensitive people to grow heart-centered businesses, share their voices, and be part of the change the world needs. Explore Julie’s website dedicated to supporting HSPs and download a free letter to give medical and mental health professionals about high sensitivity. ❤️🌈❤️ (she/her)