Carrying The Question
Get to know the story behind Sister Seasons’ unique cycle-based tool.
To tell you the story of the Carrying The Question practice, we have to go back several years in my journal, where–just like Field Notes–it all started with no intention that it would ever be a tool I’d teach.
But something changed in 2024.
I followed a nudge and incorporated it into Reimagining Leadership, and after hearing participants’ results, I knew I needed to share this tool with more people, especially in these challenging times we're in.
HOW IT STARTED
Carrying The Question started in my journal in 2020. It’s evolved several times since then, but it’s become an essential way I find clarity and comfort in great uncertainty.
The original practice came from an idea in Wild Power (which I learned from both the book and Nicole Gulotta) on taking questions into our menstrual phase, as it can be a time where we can have greater access to our inner wisdom.
But I found that because I have been in a time of massive uncertainty since 2020–literally every area of my life uprooted while navigating a world on fire and building a business around ideas that didn’t exist out in the world yet, my questions needed more time.
Sure, I’d get some clues during the days of my bleed, but I’d wrap up that phase knowing there was still more to be discovered.
So I started “carrying the question” through my whole cycle, checking back in with it the next time I reached my menstrual phase. And the results were wonderful: I was getting greater insight, I felt more self-trust, and I got more comfortable with uncertainty.
HOW IT WORKS
The tool itself is very simple, but the results are profound.
In as little as 10 minutes a week, you complete a 3-question writing practice around a Big Q you’re working with. Whenever you feel complete with that Q, you substitute in an equally simple practice to help you harvest insights and identify a new question for the cycle ahead.
While the practice originated as a menstrual cycle practice, you do not need a period or womb to work with the tool.
It works with two parts of you.
🌀 Your cyclical self – the part of you that changes as you move through cycles–of your body, of life, of nature. This part can illuminate answers by providing several perspectives on your questions.
🌳 Your wise self – the part of you that is unchanging but can be hard to access in our noisy world. This part can help you discern what’s uniquely true and right for you.
Together, they are incredible partners in helping you find insight and ease in the unknown.
SUPPORT in complex times
And critically, it’s super helpful for an edge-walking changemaker like you.
When your work is steeped in complexity and you’re walking on the bridge as you build it, this weekly practice supports you to stay steady and wise as you navigate unknowns.
You can use this tool to help you:
Tune into the big feelings–like grief, rage, and disillusionment–that come with your changemaking work
Discern where your limited time, energy and resources are best directed
Distinguish when something is actually urgent vs when it’s just urgency culture (h/t adrienne maree brown)
Trust that even if you don’t have the WHOLE answer today, you have the skills to identify some clues and/or the confidence to know an answer will come in time
Turn an an elephant-in-the-room situation or a sinking feeling in your stomach into a question you can get curious about
Access more courage in facing the unknowns that want to light your path forward
There is definitely a time and place for asking for outside support–from a coach, consultant, mentor, therapist, or trusted friend–but you’ve likely found there are some questions no one can answer for you.
That’s when you know it’s time to go within for an answer. And this tool can help you do that with ease.
learn with me
If you’re curious to learn the Carrying The Question practice, join Reimagining Leadership where I teach it as part of the curriculum, book a discovery call to explore working together 1:1, or subscribe to the newsletter to be notified of future public offerings.
If you’d like to bring a Carrying The Question program to your group, email hello@sisterseasons.com.
Photo Credit: Aran Prime
Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the information provided should be construed as medical advice. If you have concerns related to your menstrual cycle, please consult a licensed health care provider.