Dressing My Hormones: How I Finally Stopped Fighting My Own Body (and How You Can Too). Issue #22
Two years ago, I hit a wall
Single mum, running my business, building my dreams
I was in constant “go-go-go” mode. You know that feeling when you’re holding it all together with a smile and dry shampoo? Yeah. That was me.
But underneath it all, I felt like a crazy woman.
Mood swings? Off the charts. Especially during ovulation, which, by the way, is supposed to be our “feel-good” phase. Not for me. I’d get snappy with my kids, cry over commercials, and feel like I was crawling out of my own skin.
And for the longest time, I blamed myself.
I thought: “Why can’t I just get it together?”
Then one afternoon, I watched an episode of The Diary of a CEO, Steven Bartlett interviewing Doctor Mindy Peltz about women’s hormones (min 51) and fasting. The whole conversation was framed around helping men understand the emotional waves their girlfriends go through.
But for me? It was like someone handed me the user manual for my own body.
Steven’s curiosity, his hunger to understand, his willingness to improve… it struck a chord deep in me. I realised I’d never truly learned how my own cycle affected everything, from my mood, energy, productivity… to the way I felt in my clothes.
And that’s when the journey really began.
🔄 Hormones 101: What They Never Taught Us in School
Let’s be honest: the world was built around a 24-hour hormonal cycle, aka the male one. Linear. Predictable. Same energy each day.
But women?
We’re on a 28-day cycle. And it’s not just periods, it’s a full hormonal symphony playing different tunes every single week.
And yet… we’re expected to perform the same. Every. Day.
Work the same. Look the same. Dress the same.
No wonder we burn out.
So instead of pushing through like I always did, I got curious:
I started tracking my cycle
I changed how I sleep, move, eat, depending on what phase I’m in
I planned around when I feel creative vs when I need quiet
I let myself rest, without guilt, during my bleed
I gave myself permission to not be a machine
And the real game-changer?
💡 I started dressing in sync with my cycle too.
Because Style Isn’t Just Surface-Level
We think of clothes as “fashion”, but really, they’re energy tools.
Colours, fabrics, silhouettes… they speak to your nervous system:
Reds stimulate and activate
Blues calm and balance
Browns ground and stabilise
Neutrals soothe and comfort
So I asked myself: If I’m already supporting my body in so many ways… why not my wardrobe too?
And voilà … my hormonal dressing ritual was born.
Here’s your cheat sheet (print it, pin it, save it like it’s your new religion):
🌕 Cycle Style Breakdown
🩸 Menstrual Phase (Days 1–5 - Your Inner Winter)
Energy low. Mood tender. Go gentle.
Think: Oversized knits, slouchy layers, soft leggings, textures that feel like a hug.
Colours: Warm grey, oatmeal, blush.
Style goal: Comfort queen. Add tea and a dreamy playlist.
🌱 Follicular Phase (Days 6–13 - Your Inner Spring)
Hello creativity! Energy rises, optimism returns.
Think: Light denim, cotton shirts, fun layering, pastels, playful combos.
Colours: Sky blue, pistachio, soft coral.
Style goal: Fresh start feels, try that outfit idea you saved last week.
☀️ Ovulation Phase (Days 14–16 - Your Inner Summer)
Peak magnetism… and in my case, peak drama too.
Think: Structured blazers, bold lips, tailored trousers, crisp white shirts.
Colours: Red, white, cobalt.
Style goal: Power dresser. But stay grounded (emotions might spike).
🍂 Luteal Phase (Days 17–28 - Your Inner Autumn)
Energy dips, intuition rises. Emotions on high.
Think: Ribbed knits, soft tailoring, cosy but put-together pieces.
Colours: Burgundy, camel, moss green.
Style goal: Earth goddess vibes. Magnesium and hydration are your besties.
🌀 Your Challenge This Week:
Start tracking your cycle and dressing with it.
Here’s how:
Note which phase you’re in (use an app like Clue or MyFlo if you need help).
Each morning, ask: How do I feel? What do I need?
Choose one outfit this week that supports your energy, not your calendar.
🖤 Real Life This Week ….
It was a fabulous whirlwind
✨ I hosted a women’s styling workshop (I was so nervous, but nailed it, even in English, which still challenges me sometimes!)
✨ I booked new clients directly from the room.
✨Did a spontaneous wardrobe edit for my client and friend Vonny, she’s done multiple clothes swaps with me, and needed updated Ready-To-Wear Outfits in her LookBook (and she sent me the sweetest reel review, check it here @monaco.meraki on IG).
✨ Oh, and I run over a deer on the road (a muntjac, I know, I didn’t even know they existed either). Still a little shaken. I feel super grateful that despite the tragic outcome for the poor animal we are safe. Thanks to my friend Diana and how skilled she is driving.
✨ AND I joined an inspiring community of women reading Get Rich, Lucky Bitch, and I swear, it’s like the Universe is sending me all the right women at the right time. 11:11s everywhere. The support I didn’t know I needed!
✨ Three weeks ago, I had just over 300 followers on LinkedIn.
Today, I’m at 1,470, and more importantly, I’ve completely lost the fear of being seen.
Showing up as myself (messy edges, bold opinions, Spanish sass and all) has not only grown my business… it’s introduced me to the most incredible women.
Real connections. Real opportunities.
Even some real friendships I didn’t see coming. :)
Turns out, visibility isn’t about chasing numbers, but about finally letting people find you.
What keeps me grounded through it all?
Being kind to my Body. My intuition. Dressing and talking to me like I am on my own side. And knowing I get to share all this with you.
Wanna start your own wardrobe ritual?
Let me paint the scene again.
It’s Sunday. You light a candle. You’ve got your herbal tea (or Prosecco). You open your closet with intention. Not dread.
✨ Enter: the Wardrobe Edit E-book, a.k.a. the same method I use with my private clients.
Yes, it’s free.
No, that does not mean it’s fluffy.
(Please don’t let your brain sabotage you here.)
Inside this freebie:
Step-by-step wardrobe clarity
A system for editing your closet with compassion
AND, a fun surprise: the Style Personality Quiz
Think Cosmo quiz meets identity breakthrough. It’s scarily accurate and SO fun.
You’ll get both the moment you subscribe to this newsletter.
Because your wardrobe isn’t a pile of clothes.
But a reflection of your energy, your needs, your season of life.
So make it sacred.
Make it playful.
Make it YOU.
If you’ve been waking up thinking “Ugh, I have nothing to wear…”, you’re not broken.
You’re just out of sync.
Let’s bring your wardrobe back in ALIGNMENT with your hormones, your energy, your real life.
We’re not meant to fight our bodies.
We’re meant to work with them, and dress the part.
With love & flow,
Carolina X
P.S. In case you ever wondered what a stylist’s brain looks like on Google Maps… voilà 💁🏻♀️
I’m that person who heart-pins every good coffee spot, gallery, boutique, and basque cheesecake in the city. It’s an obsession, but a useful one.
If you're a foodie or a fellow flâneur (aka city stroller), ask me anytime, I’ve got recs for days.
Do you do this too, or am I the only Google Maps maximalist here? ;)