Menstrual Cycle Tracking: How I Get to Know My Body Through Daily Writing

A More Flexible Approach to Journaling

Cyclical Roots has moved towards an undated Cycles Journal, with dated calendars and lunar resources available separately. This allows the journal to be started, paused and returned to without being tied to a single calendar year.

I also appreciate the thought behind its production. Cycles Journal uses pre-orders to help fund printing and estimate demand, producing journals in limited batches. The brand explains that this approach helps reduce waste and excess stock.

For someone who loves paper planners, this matters to me. I value the experience of writing by hand, and I also care about the resources involved in producing the journals I use.

Mandala Lunar: A Project Taking a Pause

Mandala Lunar is another reference I want to include when talking about cycle awareness and daily writing.

Its approach invites observation of our inner world through written records, with attention to emotions, experiences and the cycles of nature.

The Brazilian project behind this website announced an indefinite pause beginning in April 2026. Its website also states that direct sales have closed.

From the updates I have followed, I understand that there will be no new Brazilian edition for 2027, with rising paper costs among the challenges involved in the pause.

It is a reminder of the work behind independent publishing: creating the content, producing the artwork, sourcing materials, printing and making the finished journal available.

I still want to acknowledge Mandala Lunar here for its contribution to this way of observing and recording our experiences. You can follow the project’s own channels for future announcements.

Magic of I: Another Planner I Have Tried

Another planner I have personally tried is Magic of I.

If astrology interests you, it is worth exploring. The brand creates astrological planners and journals, and its website includes astrology articles, lunar content and other resources.

I recommend following their page and exploring their content if you enjoy keeping up with astrological movements throughout the year. It can offer another point of reference for reflection alongside your own writing.

My interest in astrology is part of my personal approach to journaling. I leave space for symbolism and curiosity, while recognising that my written observations are about my individual experience.

What Menstrual Cycle Tracking Has Taught Me

After more than five years, I have become more familiar with my own patterns, but I continue to discover new nuances.

Each cycle happens within a different moment of my life. My relationships, work, rest and everyday experiences all provide context for how I feel.

When I return to my records, I want to consider that whole picture. I do not want to assume that every emotion comes from my menstrual cycle or that I should feel a certain way during a particular phase.

Instead, I want the page to hold an honest account of that day.

This is what I value most about writing regularly: the opportunity to notice what is actually happening, then return to it later with more perspective.

Finding a Journal You Enjoy Returning To

Having tried different planners, I know how much the format matters to me. I like a journal that invites me to write and gives me enough space to express myself.

Cycles Journal has been my companion for years. Magic of I is another option I have explored, while Mandala Lunar remains a reference worth acknowledging.

You may be drawn to a detailed astrological planner, a lunar journal or a simple notebook. Finding something you enjoy using can make it easier to create space for the practice.

For me, it continues with the same small gesture: opening my journal, picking up a pen and asking myself how I feel.

Over time, those answers have become a personal history I treasure.

Continue Exploring with Harṣa — Women’s Sacred Gathering

There is space for you and everything you feel.

Harṣa — Women’s Sacred Gathering is a gathering exclusively for women, offering space to connect with your body, emotions and voice through gentle practices, reflection and shared presence.

An invitation to slow down, listen to yourself and be in the company of other women, at your own pace, with no obligation to speak or share.

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