🎧 If you’d prefer to listen to this story, CLICK HERE to tune into the full podcast episode.

Hey beauty,

Whew, okay — I want to take a breath with you before we dive in.

Because this post is about something I’ve been navigating deeply — and something I know many of you are feeling in your own rhythm of life and business too: the art of balancing action with restoration, and truly honoring the yin side of nervous system regulation.

Let’s talk about the fist.

Yes, the fist.

That clenching, contracting sensation we often feel in our bodies — in our nervous systems — when we’re overwhelmed, under-resourced, or caught in a loop of fear and overdoing. When I tune into this energy, I actually feel it in my hand… a tight little fist that’s gripping and holding on for dear life.

But when I give myself space to just be — to soften, to soothe, to allow — that fist starts to relax. It doesn’t open all the way right away, but the fingers start to loosen, the tension unravels just a little bit, and spaciousness starts to return.

This, my love, is the power of yin.

It’s the quiet exhale after a deep push. It’s the curling up on the couch when your body says, “Enough.” It’s the restoration, the mental health day, the spontaneous detour into pleasure or creativity. And it is absolutely essential — especially if you’re someone who’s building, creating, launching, leading.

Because when your body is screaming for rest but your mind keeps saying, “Push through!” — that’s when burnout starts to creep in. That’s when your creativity dries up. That’s when the fear-based patterns start to spiral.

From Overwhelm to Intention: The Podcast Pause

Recently, I felt this firsthand with my podcast.

The launch energy was exhilarating — I had my childcare lined up, my virtual assistant supporting, my episodes recorded, edited, and ready to go. I was in full-on yang: doing the thing, taking aligned action, showing up in my dharma.

But after that first big push? I felt the edge of burnout creeping in. My energy dipped. My body was like, “Girl, we need to rest.”

And there it was — that old voice from the past whispering, “If you take a break, you’ll fall off the wagon again. Just like season one.”

But this time, I didn’t let that fear run the show.

Instead, I tuned in. I asked: What do I need? What’s the most supportive choice I can make for myself right now, while honoring the long-term vision of this podcast?

And the answer was clear: Take a week off. Intentionally.

Not from avoidance. Not from fear. But from deep inner listening.

I made an agreement with myself: I would pause, restore, and return with more clarity, more groundedness, and more capacity to serve.

Cyclical Living Is Business Strategy (Yes, Really)

So much of our world is built on a 24-hour cycle — one that mirrors the masculine hormonal rhythm, the sun, the constant go-go-go. But for those of us in female bodies, our energy, our creativity, our hormones — they’re lunar. They move in 28-day waves.

There are seasons to our cycle — and also to our business.

Just like the moon, we have phases:

• The fertile void (new moon / menstruation / inspiration)
  
• The building energy (waxing moon / follicular / taking action)
  
• The peak expression (full moon / ovulation / launching)
  
• The reflective letting go (waning moon / luteal / completing + integrating)
  
  

And the mistake I made? Trying to stay in the ovulation phase indefinitely.

Can you relate?

Trying to stretch that peak “go-mode” into weeks on end? Yeah, our bodies aren’t built for that. Our spirits aren’t built for that. And our creativity sure as hell isn’t built for that.

The Medicine of Doable, Manageable Action

So, here’s what I did:

I stopped forcing myself to record my podcast standing up at my desk (even though I love my treadmill desk). I honored my luteal energy. I clipped on my lav mic, laid on the couch, and recorded from where my body actually wanted to be.

Because embodiment isn’t just about the big practices. It’s in the micro-decisions, the subtle shifts, the deep listening to what’s actually doable, manageable, and supportive right now.

And from that place? I came back. Not out of guilt or pressure. But with softness. With devotion. With clarity.

Let Yourself Contract, So You Can Expand Again

Whether you’re launching a podcast, birthing a program, navigating grief, or dreaming up your next creative offering — remember this:

The contraction is not a failure.

It’s part of the cycle.

Let yourself curl inward. Let yourself rest. Let yourself cry, or play, or pause, or do nothing at all. That’s the yin calling you home — and the more you honor it, the further you’ll be able to stretch when the next wave of yang comes calling.

So, I leave you with this:

✨ What phase of your cycle (or season of life) are you in right now?

✨ What would it look like to honor that phase without guilt?

✨ And what’s one doable, manageable step forward — even if it’s tiny — that honors your needs and your vision?

You’re allowed to move slowly. You’re allowed to rest. And you’re allowed to come back stronger.

Ready for Deeper Support?

If this resonated with you and you’re ready to work 1:1 with me in a space that holds both your nervous system and your business strategy — I’ve got a special beta offer open to just one person right now.

Come find me on Instagram @cynthiagutierrez.coach and send me a voice note (I love those!). Let’s chat and see if it’s aligned.

🌿 Want to listen to this episode instead? You can catch it here:

👉 The Spiritually Embodied Leader Podcast – Episode Link

With love and in rhythm,
Cynthia