Hey Reader,
Have you ever wondered why sometimes you feel so out of sync with the world around you?
It’s not just in your head; it’s a real disconnect between how our bodies are wired and the way modern work cultures operate.
Here in Dubai, the peak of summer brings scorching heat and (higher than usual) humidity. Workers, especially those outdoors like delivery riders and construction workers, often have to slow down or stop to protect their health.
This seasonal change in work rhythms reminds me of how historically, across various cultures, people adapted their work and lifestyles to align with the seasons and nature’s pace.
Take the siesta, for example. In parts of the world like Spain, Greece, Italy, Nigeria, and some Latin American countries, people take a break during the hottest part of the day to rest and recharge.
It’s not just about escaping the heat; it’s about honouring our natural rhythms and ensuring we can give our best when we’re active.
Just for today, I invite you to DREAM, I mean really dream of what your life would be like if you could live in harmony with the natural rhythms of your innate cycle and the cycle of nature.
Not sure what this means? Continue reading below to find out more about cyclical time and aligning our productivity to match our body’s innate cycles and nature’s pace.
With your well-being at heart,
Elia Kanak Rajah [she/her]
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It's time to change our relationship with Time
The advent of industrialisation in the 18th and 19th centuries has completely transformed (and not for the better, in my opinion) our entire work culture and relationship with time.
In today’s world, there’s a relentless push to be constantly productive. The emphasis of workplace productivity is on efficiency (greater output in lesser time) and effectiveness (higher quality output in lesser time), usually to generate more profits.
Even in non-profits or social impact organisations, this mindset persists, as shown by heavy workloads and the pressure to meet KPIs set by others.
The idea of taking a midday break or adjusting work hours to suit the season (or our own internal cycle) seems almost radical.
Yet, by ignoring these natural cues, we risk burnout and decreased productivity in the long run. Isn’t it ironic?
The very thing we strive for – efficiency – slips through our fingers when we ignore our body’s needs.
In her insightful book Do Less, Kate Northrup explores the concept of cyclical time versus linear time. She reveals that our bodies, especially those who menstruate, naturally follow a 28-day cycle, much like the moon.
This cycle includes phases of rest, reflection, and active productivity. Yet, our current work culture is structured around a rigid 24-hour cycle, offering little room for us to find our own rhythm.
Think about it: nature operates in cycles and seasons. Trees shed their leaves in autumn, animals hibernate in winter, and flowers bloom in spring. Why should we be any different? Our bodies too crave this same cyclical flow—periods of high energy followed by necessary rest. In fact, we are wired this way.
Why does this matter? Because it changes everything.
Think about it: instead of pushing yourself to be at peak productivity every single day, you can start recognising when your energy is naturally high and when it’s low.
During the new moon or menstruation phase, your body might crave rest and introspection—honour that. As the full moon approaches or during ovulation, your energy peaks; this is the perfect time for action and creativity.
By aligning with these cycles, we not only improve our well-being but also enhance our ability to serve others. It’s not about doing less in terms of output; it’s about doing less of what drains us and more of what nurtures us.
What IF instead of viewing time as a straight line—a never-ending race from point A to point B—you start seeing it as a cycle, much like the seasons?
Doesn’t that sound liberating?
The pandemic, despite its many challenges, gave us a rare opportunity to re-evaluate how we work. For a moment, it felt like we could shift towards more flexible schedules that honour our natural rhythms. Sadly, many businesses have been pushing to return to ‘business as usual’, including non-profit and mission-driven organisations. This feels like such a missed opportunity.
Imagine if our workplace cultures aligned with the natural cycles of our bodies instead of forcing us into a relentless 24-hour grind.
What if we could embrace periods of rest without guilt, knowing that they are just as crucial as periods of productivity?
What would it look like to live in harmony with these natural rhythms?
This is my hope and dream for all of us—to create a world where we can thrive by aligning with our innate cycles rather than fighting against them.
And we can start by closely listening to our bodies and honouring their wisdom.
Your body knows what it needs. Trust it.
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Attune to your Body
This practice involves observing and tracking your innate rhythms over a month.
Start by keeping a journal to note your energy levels, moods and productivity, along with the cycle of the moon or cycle of your menstrual phase (if you have a regular menstrual cycle) each day.
You’ll begin to see patterns emerge—patterns that can guide you towards living more harmoniously with your inner rhythms.
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Need more help?
- Listen to podcast by Kate Northrup on Unlocking Your Cyclical Superpowers: Embrace the Phases of Your Cycle​
- Use this simple Daily Energy Tracker (adapted from Kate Northrup’s work)
Note: This template is created on Notion. You may duplicate the page onto your own Notion workspace, or copy and paste the headings into a document of your choice.
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Contemplate with Soul
Invite in gentle curiousity as you sit with the following questions and journal/ draw/ creatively express/ move your body and allow the answers to emerge from within.
- Dream a little dream - give yourself permission to imagine what would your daily, weekly or monthly working rhythm look like if you could completely redesign HOW and WHEN you work.
- Based on all the things you’ve dreamed, how can you begin to integrate some of the changes/ practices into your life today, even if it’s just something really tiny?
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Remember, it’s not about perfection but progress. Each small step towards aligning with your natural rhythm is a victory worth celebrating.
How do you feel about embracing cyclical time in your life? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences! Hit reply and let me know :)
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HIGHLIGHTS
NEW TIMINGS ADDED TO TENDING YOUR ROOTS: SOMATIC HEALING CIRCLE
As there were a few people who wished to join in the monthly somatic healing circles from different time zones, I have added new dates with different timings to cater to those in different parts of the world.
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Interested in a deeper connection?
Let's meet over coffee (online)!
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