So this is embarrassing, but I’ve been tracking the moon phases for eight months now. Not in a werewolf way (though my boyfriend jokes about it), but because I was desperate to figure out why my sleep was so screwed up.
It started last winter when I was going through this awful period where I’d be dead tired at 9 PM, then suddenly wired at midnight. Or I’d have these incredibly productive days where I’d reorganize my entire closet, then feel like garbage for three days straight. My doctor said my blood work was fine, suggested better sleep hygiene (eye roll), and basically shrugged.
Then my coworker Emma mentioned she’d been following moon phases for productivity stuff. I was skeptical as hell, but desperate enough to try anything. Turns out the moon might actually be running my life more than I realized.
When I Started Paying Attention to That Big Rock in the Sky
The first thing I learned is that the moon goes through eight phases every 29-ish days. I downloaded this app called Moonly (yes, really) and started noting how I felt during each phase. At first I thought it was confirmation bias, but patterns started emerging that were too weird to ignore.
Here’s what I’ve figured out:
New Moon (invisible moon): This is when I sleep like a baby and wake up feeling like I can conquer the world. Makes sense – darker nights mean more melatonin, right? I started using this time to plan out my month instead of diving into new projects.
Waxing phases (growing moon): As the moon gets bigger, I get more restless at night. My brain starts spinning with ideas right when I’m trying to sleep. I’ve learned to keep a notebook by my bed during these phases because fighting the mental chatter is pointless.
Full Moon: Holy hell, this is when everything goes sideways. I either can’t sleep at all or have the most intense dreams. Last full moon I dreamed I was arguing with my high school math teacher about cryptocurrency.
But here’s the thing – I’m also weirdly productive during the day. I cleaned my entire apartment, finished a work project, and deep-cleaned my car all in one weekend.
Waning phases (shrinking moon): This is when my body finally starts to chill out. I sleep better, but I’m also more reflective. Good time for cleaning out my inbox or finally dealing with that pile of papers on my desk.
The Sleep Thing Actually Works
I was skeptical about the moon affecting sleep until I started tracking it. Turns out there’s actual research on this – people really do sleep differently during different moon phases.
During my first full moon of tracking, I couldn’t fall asleep until 2 AM and kept waking up. I thought it was just stress from work, but then I noticed the pattern repeating. Now I prepare for it:
- Full moon nights: I use blackout curtains (best $30 I ever spent), avoid caffeine after 2 PM, and do this weird breathing thing my therapist taught me
- New moon nights: I go to bed earlier because my body actually wants to sleep
- Waxing phases: I write down all my racing thoughts before bed, otherwise I’ll lie there planning my entire week
My sleep tracker shows I’m getting about 20 minutes more sleep per night on average since I started working with the moon phases instead of against them. Not life-changing, but definitely noticeable.
Using Moon Energy for Getting Stuff Done (Without Burning Out)
The productivity part was even weirder to figure out. I used to push myself equally hard every day, then crash and wonder why I couldn’t maintain it. Now I know my energy naturally ebbs and flows with the moon, and fighting it just makes me miserable.
New moon energy: Perfect for planning and dreaming. I use this time to set monthly goals or brainstorm new projects. I’m not trying to execute anything yet, just getting clear on what I want.
Waxing moon energy: This is when I start taking action on my plans. I’ll sign up for that course, send that email, or tackle the first draft of something. My motivation is naturally higher during these phases.
Full moon energy: Peak productivity time, but also peak burnout risk. I schedule my biggest deadlines around full moons now because I know I’ll have the energy to push through. But I also block out the day after for recovery because I always crash.
Waning moon energy: Time to wrap things up and organize. I use this time to clean out my computer files, finish projects that are 80% done, or declutter my workspace.
Last month I had a major presentation due, and instead of stressing about it for weeks, I planned it around the moon cycle.
I did my initial planning during the new moon, worked on it during the waxing phases, delivered it during the full moon, and used the waning phase to follow up and organize my notes. It was the least stressful big project I’ve ever done.
The Weird Zodiac Bonus Round
Here’s where it gets really woo-woo: the moon moves through different zodiac signs every 2-3 days, which apparently affects the “flavor” of each phase. I ignored this part for months because it seemed like too much, but Emma convinced me to try it.
When the moon’s in Virgo, I’m naturally more organized and detail-oriented. Moon in Pisces makes me want to take baths and avoid my phone. Moon in Gemini has me texting everyone I know and starting five different projects.
I don’t plan my whole life around this, but I do check the moon sign when I’m feeling off or trying to decide what to work on. It’s like having a cosmic weather report.
My Current Moon Routine (Such As It Is)
I’m not some mystical moon goddess over here. I still forget to check the phases sometimes and definitely don’t follow all the “rules.” But here’s what I actually do:
Every few days: Check my moon app to see what phase we’re in and how I should expect to feel
New moon: I write down 3-5 things I want to focus on for the month. Sometimes I light a candle and make it fancy, sometimes I just scribble on a napkin.
Full moon: I plan to either get a lot done or do absolutely nothing, depending on how I’m feeling. I also warn my boyfriend that I might be weird for a day or two.
Random moon stuff: I keep crystals on my nightstand (shut up, they’re pretty), drink different teas based on the phase, and journal when I remember to.
Sleep adjustments: I’m more careful about caffeine and screen time during certain phases, and I don’t fight insomnia as hard during full moons.
Does This Actually Work or Am I Just Crazy?
Look, I can’t prove the moon is controlling my sleep and productivity. Maybe it’s all placebo effect. But you know what? I don’t care. I’m sleeping better, getting more done, and feeling more in tune with my natural rhythms.
My skeptical engineer brother thinks I’ve lost my mind, but even he admits I seem less stressed lately. My mom (who’s been into astrology since the ’70s) is thrilled that I’m finally “awakening to lunar wisdom” or whatever.
The truth is, having a framework for understanding my energy patterns has been helpful regardless of whether the moon is actually influencing them. Instead of fighting my natural ups and downs, I work with them.
Instead of expecting myself to be equally productive every day, I plan for the natural rhythms.
If you’re struggling with sleep or feeling like your energy is all over the place, maybe give it a try for a month? Worst case scenario, you waste 30 seconds a day checking a moon app. Best case, you figure out a sustainable way to work with your body instead of against it.
Just don’t tell my brother I said any of this. He already thinks I’m weird enough.
Currently: Waxing crescent moon, which means I should probably stop writing and actually publish this post. See how it works?
