The Art of Noticing
While reading at home on a recent Sunday morning, I came across a new word, notitita. Jungian psychologist, James Hillman describes this concept as “the attentive noticing of the soul”. This idea of knowing through presence is what inspired this reflection on menstrual cycle awareness. In my experience, when we begin to truly notice ourselves, we learn to meet ourselves with curiosity and care. With this awareness, we begin to inhabit the simple quality of being kind to ourselves, to others and to the earth.
Psychologist Mary Watkins writes “noticing involves a gift of careful attention that is sustained, patient, subtly attuned to images and metaphors, tracking both hidden meanings and surface presentations”. In a world that moves fast and rewards constant doing, this kind of noticing asks us to slow down and listen, to be present to what is really happening within and around us. The word notitia originates from Latin, meaning “knowledge” or “a being known”. It points to a kind of understanding that comes from a felt sense of intimacy and recognition of the subtleties around us, while still holding space for the mystery and magic that we are all a part of.
In many ways, menstrual cycle awareness is a practice of notitia in action. It’s about remembering the natural rhythm that lives within us — a rhythm that echoes the cycles of the moon, the turning seasons of the year and the natural cycle of death & rebirth. In a culture that often values productivity and progress, the menstrual cycle is the feminine invitation back into the body, back to our own pace and back to a sense of connection with the wisdom of the natural world around us.
We live in a privileged time where the tides of taboo around menstruation are slowly shifting. We are unpicking centuries of suppression and shame where women have been conditioned to hide or suppress their bodily functions in order to “fit in” to the system. Menstrual cycle awareness empowers each woman to tend to her own needs and reclaim back a sense of agency and autonomy over her own body. It reveals that our sense of inner harmony and balance arises from our ability to consciously listen and respond to the needs of our own cycle.
The menstrual cycle as a path of reconnection
By practicing notitia, the art of noticing, you begin to sense the subtle shifts in your being. This could look like:
The moment your energy pivots from outward to inward.
The way your skin, breath, and sensitivity change with each phase.
Your inner truth that reveals itself when you bleed and trust your vulnerability.
This art of noticing becomes intuitive and fluid as you attune to listening with your whole body.
Your body becomes the teacher - what once felt unpredictable or confusing, begins to make sense.
This is why I feel so inspired to share this work - because menstrual cycle awareness is not only a foundational wellbeing practice, but it becomes a powerful pathway of self-inquiry. When you meet your body with curiosity instead of judgement, it deepens your understanding of who you are and how life moves through you.
The place we are in right now is our gateway to deeper connection. Healing takes time and with each new beginning comes both expansion and uncertainty. You don’t have to walk this path alone, sometimes what’s needed is a gentle hand to hold and someone to listen as you take your first steps.
If you’re feeling called, I invite you to explore my offerings and ways to work with me. Together, we can nurture the connection between you, your body and the cycles that guide you.
