The Truth About the Luteal Phase: She’s Not a Bitch—She’s Your Intuition
For the longest time, I dreaded the luteal phase of my cycle. You know, those 7–10 days before your period where everything feels *off*. Movies would make me cry. My sad-girl playlist would be on repeat. And everything about myself—how I looked, how I mothered, how I *existed*—felt like one giant disappointment.
The luteal phase gets a bad rap, doesn’t it? For years, I called it my “inner luteal demon.” She was relentless, loud, and ruthless in pointing out everything I was doing wrong. But over time, I learned something that changed my perspective completely: She wasn’t trying to hurt me. She was trying to help me.
Listening to the Critic
I started journaling during my luteal phase, writing down all the things my inner critic would say. It was a lot—pages and pages of self-criticism. She was upset, hurt, and honestly, kind of pissed.
But when I looked closer, I realized: She wasn’t trying to be mean—she was trying to get my attention.
She had so much to say because I had been ignoring her for years. She was the part of me that I had betrayed over and over again by not listening to my needs, not honoring my boundaries, and not living in alignment with what truly mattered to me.
So, I made a decision. Instead of shutting her out or drowning her in wine and chocolate (which I’d been known to do), I started to *listen*.
Building Trust
Listening wasn’t enough—I had to prove to her that I was taking her seriously. My journal became my “receipts.” I’d write down everything she said, and then I’d take action.
If she told me I was exhausted and needed a break, I’d rest.
If she said I was people-pleasing again, I’d set a boundary.
If she called out something I was avoiding, I’d face it head-on.
When she came back with her sharp words and her disappointed tone, I’d show her my journal and say, “Look—I’m doing the work.” Slowly but surely, that started to build trust between us.
From Critic to Guide
After months of tracking, journaling, and personal growth, something amazing happened: my inner luteal critic transformed.
She wasn’t just the voice of frustration anymore—she became the voice of my intuition.
When she showed up, I knew she had something important to say. She wasn’t there to tear me down; she was there to wake me up.
Now, when she gets mad, I lean in and listen. She helps me see where I’m out of alignment, where I’m not being true to myself, and where I need to course-correct. She’s become one of my greatest allies.
The Power of the Luteal Phase
A phase that once left me drowning in anxiety, depression, and self-loathing now makes me feel centered, empowered, and deeply connected to my divine feminine spirit.
The luteal phase isn’t here to ruin you—it’s here to reveal you. It’s the phase that holds up a mirror and asks:
– Where are you betraying yourself?
– What are you ignoring?
– What do you need to let go of?
It’s raw, unfiltered truth. And while it’s not always easy to face, it’s the key to transformation.
What Is Your Cycle Trying to Tell You?
Your cycle is always speaking to you—it’s just a matter of whether you’re listening.
If the luteal phase feels like your personal hell right now, I encourage you to start small:
– Write down what you’re feeling.
– Pay attention to the patterns.
– Honor what your inner critic is trying to say.
Because beneath the frustration, the tears, and the blah-ness is your intuition, waiting to guide you toward a deeper, truer version of yourself.
So, what is your cycle trying to tell you? Are you ready to listen?
