Timestamp of the episode

00:00:00 - Introduction,
Monique introduces the episode and emphasizes the importance of understanding and tracking one's menstrual cycle. She highlights the benefits of recording your cycle, such as gaining insight into your body, emotions, and health.

00:01:43 - Part 1: Recording Your Cycle,
Monique explains that she will split the podcast into two parts, focusing first on recording the cycle. She encourages listeners to find a tracking method that works best for them, whether it's pen and paper, a journal, a notes app, or a period-tracking app. She also mentions the option of using her free tracker available on her website.

00:03:59 - Why Track Your Cycle,
Monique emphasizes the importance of collecting data about your cycle to gain insights into your body, emotions, and health. She mentions that this information can be useful when discussing symptoms with a doctor, managing PMDD, or sharing with a partner or family members.

00:08:27 - Tracking Options and What to Write,
Monique suggests different tracking options, including paper charts, journals, notes apps, or period-tracking apps. She also provides a few examples of what to write, such as using four words for each section of your body (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual) to track how you feel in each area throughout your cycle.

00:12:41 - Ways to Check in with Your Cycle,
The speaker discusses different ways to check in with your cycle, including daily check-ins, using a cycle tracker, and doing a long-form check-in through journaling. It is important to be clear on your goals and intentions when tracking your cycle for a more sustainable practice.

00:13:29 - Using a Red Pen on Bleed Days,
The speaker suggests using a red pen on your bleed days when journaling to easily identify where your cycle starts when reviewing your entries. This visual cue can be helpful for tracking patterns and understanding your cycle better.

00:14:29 - Full Body Check-in,
The speaker shares her personal process of doing a full body check-in in her journal. She emphasizes the importance of taking a moment of stillness to connect with your body before writing down your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual state. This daily practice can provide valuable insights.

00:16:19 - Knowing Your Hardest Day,
The speaker mentions that she knows day 21 is her hardest day of the cycle and adjusts her self-care accordingly. Regular cycle check-ins can help identify patterns and prepare for challenging days. It is also valuable to document positive feelings and experiences as a reminder during more difficult times.

00:17:19 - Looking for Patterns and Living in Alignment,
The speaker previews future topics, including reading over cycle tracking notes for patterns, understanding the superpowers and vulnerabilities of each cycle phase, and living in alignment with your cycle.