How to use feminine energy at work - and why you should not work like a man
If you are like me, your upbringing emphasised that, as women, we are capable of pursuing careers just like men. We are a generation of women shaped by the principles of feminism and the pursuit of professional fulfilment and equality. While feminism and the ability to be financially independent and advance in our careers are essential advancements, we have had to navigate a work environment designed primarily for men. This environment constantly disrupts our sense of balance. Here are two reasons why, as women with a feminine core, we should not work like men.
We are cyclical beings.
As women, we are inherently connected to the moon, and our nature is cyclical. Our bodies are designed to follow the lunar cycle, evolving and changing throughout the month. The week of our period, which energetically and spiritually aligns with the witch archetype, invites us to return to our centre and rest (see the full article on the cycle here). It is essential to recognise that it is impossible to perform at the same level during our period as we do at other times of the month. This is not merely a matter of fatigue or pain; it relates to how we interact with the world. What has often been overlooked is that our periods serve as an initiatory portal. If we can allow ourselves to slow down, we naturally strengthen our connection to our intuition and unconscious.
Men are more linear, and their energy does not fluctuate with the month. They are more closely linked to the sun than to the moon. Women, however, can sometimes adopt a non-cyclical approach during specific periods. Many of us can function like men for a few years, maintaining the same rhythm and working style. However, over the long term, this leads us to exhaustion and burnout.
Our menstrual cycle is one of our greatest strengths. If we fail to respect and honour it, we risk losing our vital energy and our connection to our bodies. This disconnection can lead us to gradually lose access to our ancestral wisdom and diminish our ability to trust ourselves and listen to our intuition. Furthermore, we miss out on the cycle of death and rebirth that occurs every month, which prevents us from integrating our small deaths and making room for new beginnings. In essence, we lose the ability to reinvent ourselves, which is one of the immense strengths of the feminine.
We thrive on devotion, not on discipline.
If you open LinkedIn or YouTube today, you will likely be flooded with messages promoting productivity. Productivity hacks are everywhere, each one offering a new routine, action plan, or strategy for achieving goals. As women, we embody both masculine and feminine energy, just like men do. Our masculine energy might be drawn to the desire to accomplish more. Being organised and disciplined can support us, but only to a certain extent. The issue is that our society is significantly out of balance. Men are already feeling overwhelmed by the demands of hyper-performance and self-fulfilment. For women with a feminine core, the situation is even more dramatic.
Relying solely on discipline does not nourish feminine energy; in fact, it can gradually deplete it.
When we act from a place of devotion, our actions become nourishing rather than feeling like obligations. The heaviness and rigidity fade away, allowing us to engage naturally in what feels aligned with and necessary for our direction or purpose. When we operate from a place of devotion, we can still achieve beautiful goals and be highly productive. The key difference is that our actions stem from nurturing, creating, and bringing something to life, rather than from controlling or over-planning.
Yes, this may mean that hyper-scheduling takes a backseat, but our bodies will finally be able to relax. The feminine spirit naturally wants to honour and devote itself to something—be it a project, art, a business, or a cause. We do not need to confine ourselves to a rigid discipline that stifles our creative energy.
How to use feminine energy at work and in business
First, the menstrual phase is crucial. Pushing ourselves during this time can lead to exhaustion that lasts longer than a few days, potentially lingering throughout the month. This is why many women often feel constantly tired. Whenever possible, this phase calls for adjustments: consider working from home, taking naps, creating calm moments, avoiding long commutes, and engaging in less intense workouts if they do not feel right. Rest should be the priority. Yes, our performance may drop during this phase, and that is okay. The following phase, also known as the maiden, brings the opposite: high energy and peak productivity. Try to reduce your to-do list and postpone tasks to the following week. To learn more about the maiden phase, check this article.
Secondly, the workplace is changing rapidly. We have all become products ourselves, constantly pressured to upgrade our skills, learn more, and present ourselves as successful individuals. Our current work model fails to acknowledge that every person—men and women alike—experiences internal winters. Updating our skills, learning, and growing as professionals is great, but we also need time to integrate.
If you own your business, you have more freedom in how you work. It is worth exploring how to structure your business around your menstrual cycle, allowing yourself space for rest periods throughout the year to recharge and rejuvenate. And finally, it is interesting to start working from a place of devotion, at least a little bit every week. It will replenish your energy. At the end, it is all a question of balance.
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