A busy muslimah mumpreneur’s journey into working smarter, not harder, to unlock productivity and balance
Ever wished you could reach your goals faster while working less and enjoying life more? But wait, has anyone ever told you the secret of “working smarter, not harder”? If you’ve spent your life struggling with work, constantly watching the clock, and longing for a moment to take a deep breath, it’s time for a change.
So let me tell you about what Maryam did.
Maryam, a muslimah mompreneur, lived in Delhi and faced the constant challenge of balancing work, family, and faith. She yearned for more time for herself and her children, seeking to break free from the never-ending cycle of chores and responsibilities.
The Before
Every day, she would rush through her morning routine, keeping an eye on the clock. After finishing her daily tasks and sending the kids off to school, she would quickly eat breakfast and get ready to tackle her business responsibilities.
She would start by replying to comments and messages, the easiest tasks on her list. She would mentally note all the unfinished work that lay before her. However, the more she delved into her business tasks, the more overwhelmed she felt. There was just so much to do!
In the final hour before the kids returned from school, she would rush to prepare lunch. It was tiring and left her feeling even more overwhelmed.
Despite her hard work and dedication, she couldn’t understand where all her time went. The lack of tangible results was frustrating. On top of that, she constantly battled body aches and pains from pushing herself too hard.
To make matters worse, she would receive negative comments from her family, hinting at laziness whenever she took a break. This, alongside the guilt of not being the perfect mom, only added to her downward spiral.
One day, a fellow mompreneur and dear friend shared a game-changing concept with her. It was about aligning her tasks with the phases of her monthly menstrual cycle. Initially, she was intrigued but skeptical. How could something so natural help her regain control of her life and business?
With a curious heart and a desire for change, Maryam decided to give it a try. She began by tracking her cycle diligently, noting the different phases—menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase. Each phase, she discovered, had its own unique energy and mood.
The Phases – what they represent?!
Maryam was amazed to learn about the immense wisdom of Allah behind the different phases of the menstrual cycle. Each phase brings a special power, perfectly complementing the various roles women fulfill. Just like the four seasons or the four phases of the moon, a woman’s natural cycle has four distinct phases. Each phase offers a unique superpower that helps women navigate their responsibilities and aspirations while staying connected to their ‘fitrah’
Working smarter, not harder, is similar to the concept of working efficiently.
While working hard can take away the joy from our work, create excessive pressure, and lead to burnout in the long run, working smarter allows us to align with our ‘fitrah’ and leverage our strengths to achieve our goals. Staying in the flow rather than being overwhelmed also contributes to our overall well-being and positively impacts our parenting as well.
Menstrual Phase
During her menstruation phase, Maryam found herself naturally inclined to introspection and self-care. She had a whole self-care routine planned for her menstrual phase during which she’d nourish herself, both physically and emotionally.
Inspired by this, she decided to dedicate time to Quranic reflection and journaling during these days. Quran verses that spoke of patience and self-reflection guided her through this period of stillness.
“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.” (Quran 2:155)
Follicular Phase
As she entered the follicular phase, her energy levels surged. This was the perfect time for Maryam to tackle her most demanding work tasks. With renewed focus, she found herself accomplishing more in less time. Quranic verses about diligence and perseverance resonated with her during this phase.
“So be patient. Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth.” (Quran 30:60)
Ovulatory Phase
Ovulation brought a sense of creativity and sociability. Maryam used this time to connect with her clients, plan her content, and engage with her audience on social media.
She planned most of her socializing in her ovulatory phase and never did she find an awkward moment among poeple. Because ovulation was the most extroverted of all her phases.
She found inspiration in Quranic verses that encouraged kindness and good deeds.
“And those who believe and do righteous deeds – We will surely remove from them their misdeeds and will surely reward them according to the best of what they used to do.” (Quran 29:7)
Luteal Phase
In the luteal phase, which often brought a sense of introspection, Maryam reviewed her goals and achievements. She adjusted her strategies and planned for the month ahead, drawing strength from Quranic verses about planning and foresight.
“And those who strive for Us – We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.” (Quran 29:69)
Maryam no longer waited for motivation, to work on her most demanding tasks. She knew that it was the early morning that brought the splash of energy needed to work on the most mentally challenging tasks.
She stopped doing the busywork, the decluttering and the organising in the morning. She knew that it was a huge waste of her purposeful, go-getter morning energy. She did it in the evening instead, and if it could be done later, she planned it for the Luteal phase.
The After
As the months passed, Maryam experienced a transformation like never before. By aligning her tasks with her menstrual cycle & circadian rhythm, she gained precious moments of ‘me-time’ and quality time with her children. Her energy levels soared, and her mood stabilized. Bodyaches and pains subsided. She had better focus and memory. Frustration and procrastination became distant memories. She was now on top of her goals.
She learnt how to effectively communicate her cyclical energy and mood changes with her family. She now knew how to inform them, rather than passively expect, to be more compassionate and accomodating of her & what her mind and body go through every month.
Maryam was no longer behind; she was ahead of her goals. She was no longer procrastinating; she was purposeful. Her business thrived, her family flourished, and her faith deepened. The Quranic verses that guided her through each phase were like compass points on her journey toward balance and fulfillment.
In the heart of bustling Delhi, Maryam had discovered the power of syncing her tasks with the phases of her monthly menstrual cycle—a profound lesson that transformed her life as a muslimah mompreneur.
