Written by Nathalie Daudet
If you’ve dealt with long ovulation cycles, then you already know the struggle: Waiting and waiting to see any sign of ovulation or just to get your period already! It can feel like an eternity, and the uncertainty of it all can easily mess with your head.
However, when we approach our bodies and their natural cycles with compassion and gentleness, it makes the waiting so much easier.
Here are some tips to help keep you sane while you ride out the unpredictability of a long cycle.
Shift Your Focus from ‘When’ to ‘How’
Speaking from personal experience, it's easy to get caught up in obsessing over when you’ll ovulate or when your period will show up (especially if you’re tracking your in-depth fertility signs).
But try this mindset shift: Instead of focusing on the when, focus on the how.
What does that mean? Checking in with yourself. Anchoring into your cycle in this present moment by asking yourself questions like: How do you feel today? How’s your cervical mucus? How’s your energy?
Centering into today’s cycle signs gives you a concrete way to tune into your body without the endless mental hamster wheel of “am I ovulating yet?”.
Instead of feeling frustrated by the unknown, pay attention to the little things. Cycle tracking helps keep you grounded in your body, rather than lost in the endless guessing.
Embrace the Uncertainty
One of the hardest things about a longer cycle is the uncertainty. Not knowing when you’re going to ovulate can make waking up to take your BBT (basal body temperature) each day feel agonizing and pointless.
But the more you can embrace it, the less it will mess with your head. Long cycles are a bit of a wildcard, and that’s okay. Life doesn’t follow a set schedule. Acknowledging that things might take a bit longer doesn’t make you any less in control.
The more you let go of your personal timetable, the more you open up space to actually listen to your body and trust its natural rhythms.
Practice Mindful Fertility Charting
Mindful fertility charting means focusing on what’s going on right now, rather than stressing yourself out about things that aren’t even happening. It’s about looking into your body each day without judgment, just taking note.
Rather than stressing over the fact that you’re on day 40 and haven’t ovulated yet, you can approach your fertility charting with curiosity and self-compassion. Don’t get frustrated if you don’t see perfect signs; just keep observing. Your body’s rhythm may take a bit longer to show itself, but the process is the point.
Recognize When It’s Time To Step Back
If syncing your Tempdrop fertility tracking device each day is leaving you with a disappointed feeling because you’re not seeing a shift in body temperature, you might want to consider only synching your device every other or every three days (Tempdrop 2.0 allows you to sync every 7-8 days).
Additionally, if you’re using ovulation test strips like LH (luteinizing hormone), you may want to save your strips and begin testing when you notice a change in your cervical mucus. For example, from baseline to non-peak cervical mucus, or from non-peak cervical mucus to peak cervical mucus.
Take the pressure off from waiting and hoping each day, and instead zoom out and look at the bigger picture.
Find Support
You don’t have to navigate a long menstrual cycle alone. Whether it’s a fertility awareness educator, an online community, or a friend who just gets it, having a support system makes all the difference. Sharing your frustrations, getting advice, and connecting with others who understand the emotional side of longer cycles can really keep you sane.
And if you don’t have someone to talk to about it right now, trust me, you’re not alone in this. A lot of people are right there with you.
Remember: It’s Just a (Temporary) Phase
Whenever I’m in the throes of a longer cycle, I remind myself that all of my other longer cycles eventually came to an end and I eventually ovulated. Whenever I catch myself thinking: I’m never going to ovulate, I try and remember that this longer cycle is just a phase.
They can feel endless when you’re in them. They can feel like you’re never going to ovulate. But eventually, your body will find its rhythm and you’ll be given a new Cycle Day 1 to start fresh.
If you’re frustrated or anxious, take a moment to remind yourself that this is a temporary part of the process. In the grand scheme, it’s just one cycle in your life. And the more you track and tune in, the more you’ll gain clarity over time. It’s all part of the journey.
Long cycles can be tough, but they don’t have to take a toll on your mental health. By embracing uncertainty, focusing on what you can control, and practicing mindfulness, you can stay grounded through even the longest of cycles. And remember, you’ve got this! You’re not alone in this journey, and your body knows what it’s doing, even if it’s taking its sweet time. Keep tracking, keep observing, and celebrate the progress you make, no matter how small it may seem.
Nathalie Daudet is a social worker and FEMM instructor based in Winnipeg, Canada. She discovered fertility awareness after searching high and low for a non-hormonal method of birth control. After learning the magic of fertility awareness and the gift of body literacy, she decided to pursue formal fertility awareness training and share the knowledge of fertility awareness with women looking for a natural birth control option. Fertility Awareness Project is the hub for Nathalie’s FEMM classes in both group and individual formats, online and in person in Winnipeg. If you love this post and would like to thank Nathalie, shop Tempdrop with Nathalie's unique referral link