f*ck new years resolutions. hello spring equinox dreams.
notes on internalized capitalism, self-compassion + cycle syncing.
Every year I've struggled with new years resolutions / goal setting / thinking about the future at all, in the dead of winter. To be completely honest, I've struggled with a lot of things in the dead of winter — sometimes even getting up to exist and do anything is a challenge.
Even while writing this post, the weather went from sunny to gloomy again, and I struggled to finish what I started.
For a while, I felt a lot of shame around that — everyone else set their resolutions and goals in December / January, and I just wanted to hide under my covers until the weather warmed up.
I was constantly blaming myself for being drained, unable to focus for too long, or get things done at all during certain times of the month or year. I thought something was wrong with me.
Internalized capitalism had me trying to adhere to a schedule that simply didn’t fit my life, but I felt like it was my fault, and that I was just lazy. I needed to try harder, take more supplements, change my diet, something.
Capitalism needs us to be productive — to deliver output quickly and cheaply. There’s no value in slowing down or resting because those activities don’t generate profit, so they’re framed as “lazy”. We internalize that messaging as though it’s our own opinion, but spoiler alert: it’s not.
As I began to pay attention to my energy levels daily, weekly, monthly, I started noticing regular fluctuations that move with changes in the seasons, and with the phases of my menstrual cycle.
Many Indigenous cultures move with the seasons, and learning about the way they practice flowing with, and planning around, equinoxes and solstices changed my brain chemistry.
I realized that setting goals in the winter doesn’t work for me because it’s simply not the right energy to start new things in. We’re meant to be resting.
I feel more alive when spring comes around. As the earth begins to awaken, I find my energy lifted, I feel more open and optimistic, and it feels like a better headspace to dream from. That means I can set intentions, take action towards them, and stick to new habits more easily.
I feel like I’m not all that different from a plant: the way my soul feels when the sun comes out is next level shit.
Now, I move seasonally in my business — spring and summer is for creating / doing new things (content, programs, guides, etc.), signing new clients, and getting out in the community for events, while fall and winter are for slowing down, doing fewer (or no) new things, and leaning on what I’ve built in the earlier parts of the year.
I also block my calendar to avoid unnecessary meetings, minimize socializing, and avoid major decision making during the week of my period every month.
That has been a game-changer — it’s meant the other three weeks of the month are more optimized — I’m making decisions and meeting people when I’m in my highest vibration and my energy is optimal, and I’m resting when it’s not.
It’s worth noting that obviously we can’t move everything around, especially if we work jobs that require certain outputs of us no matter what. But moving our personal calendars to work this way can make a huge difference. And if you have any level of autonomy in your job, try moving deadlines / presentation dates around your cycle whenever possible and see how it changes things.
This intentionality of factoring in the phases of my cycle into my life (known as cycle syncing) has helped me develop self-compassion — instead of blaming myself, I recognize the phase I’m in and acknowledge that it may just not be the time for whatever I'm trying to do.
Over time, I’ve realized that it’s not that I’m “not productive” or that I’m “lazy” — it’s simply a matter of working with, and not against, these natural cycles. I’m more than capable of making super intuitive, value-aligned decisions, getting shit done, and making big moves — I just have to do it at the right time.
Honouring these cycles has literally made me better in every way, whether it’s work, business, friendships or family life — it’s optimized the way I live and work. It’s reduced shame I felt around resting and slowing down since it’s literally built into my calendar, I have dedicated time carved out for it without the guilt.
And it’s why I set intentions and reflect on my big dreams (not a big fan of goals) around the spring equinox — what I’m dreaming up this time of year is charged with bright, beautiful energy, rather than the gloom of obligatory goal-setting. I find myself able to start new things, stick to them, and create a bigger impact for myself + my community.
We deserve better than the crap systems like capitalism are enforcing on us. Cycle syncing and moving with the seasons is one of the ways we can start to create new ways of living + working that serves us so much better.
Hey! I’m Kirn, a business + clarity coach, strategist + guide for creative women who are seeking sustained joy + alignment in their life + work.
I’ve spent over 8 years in the white, male-dominated corporate world, trying to shrink myself to fit into systems that were never built for me — and honestly, it felt like I was suffocating the entire time.
As the eldest daughter of Indian immigrants, I also moved through layers of disconnection from my culture, while navigating the weight of patriarchy, misogyny, and unlearning inherited expectations.
In 2017, a stress-induced breakdown cracked everything open and sent me down a path of reconnecting with myself, grounding in my values, and choosing a life that feels expansive, intentional, + joy-filled.
Now, I support women in uncovering and living out their wildest dreams + desires in business + life.
If that’s calling to you, come see what it feels like to work together here — the door’s open.