Reader -
January 2021's seed cycling...
...was 2022's bone broth
...was 2023's protein lattes
...was 2024's greens powder
...was 2025's creatine.
All new year new me attempts to capitalize on women's hormone imbalance and cycle irregularity insecurities.
I want to be really clear about something: none of these things are inherently bad.
The problem isn’t the food.
The problem is that these hormone balance trends are sold as magic pill shortcuts to perfect cycles.
They rely on the idea that you can't relax if your cycle needs fixing. That if you’re tired, bloated, not ovulating on time, the answer must be something you’re not doing right and should get right right now or else.
And conveniently the solution is always something you can buy.
I bet you don't need another goddamn thing to add to your morning routine.
Irregular cycles or infertility or PCOS or painful periods aren’t a sign of moral or personal failure. And your body isn’t a problem to be solved.
If this year you feel the enticing but gut sickening pull of maybe this is the thing that finally fixes me, I just want to offer a pause.
Not everything needs optimizing. Not everything needs supplementing.
Sometimes the most radical thing you can do is learn how to read your own body and take a pause before you put your faith in the latest trend of the year.
Warmly,
Nat