In Flow: Reclaiming Your Rhythm, Redefining Productivity (Guest: Kasia Stiggelbout from InFlow Planner)

Apr 14

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🌈 Content Note: Gendered Language: In this episode, we use gendered language like “women” and “mothers” when discussing cycles, fertility, and postpartum experiences. We acknowledge that not everyone who experiences menstruation, pregnancy, or postpartum identifies as a woman. Our intention is always to honor and support all birthing people and folks navigating these transitions, regardless of gender identity. We're continuously learning and striving to create more inclusive conversations — thank you for being here with us. 🌈

If you’re pregnant or recently postpartum, chances are you’ve felt the pressure to keep up. To do it all. To "bounce back" like nothing has changed. And I’m here to say: no, thank you. That hustle culture? It’s not made for our bodies, and it’s definitely not supportive of the incredible transformations we go through during pregnancy and postpartum.

On my latest podcast episode of Doula Talk: Postpartum, Babies, and the Battle for Sleep, I had a beautiful, nourishing conversation with Kasia Stiggelbout, founder of In Flow and creator of the In Flow Planner. We talked about something that desperately needs more attention in the perinatal world: how to sync your life with your body's natural rhythm. Whether you're pregnant, newly postpartum, or somewhere in between, this idea of living cyclically — instead of linearly — can be deeply healing and incredibly empowering.

The Pregnancy and Postpartum Productivity Myth

Pregnancy is often talked about as a magical time, but it can also be full of to-do lists, appointments, and endless advice. Postpartum? Don’t even get me started. The unrealistic expectations placed on new moms to recover quickly, care for a baby, and maintain their identity all at once? It’s too much.

What Kasia reminds us is that productivity doesn’t have to be measured by how much we do. Instead, it can be about how aligned we are with our own energy, needs, and seasons. And yes, your body has seasons, even if your menstrual cycle is paused thanks to pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Why Cyclical Living Matters During Pregnancy and After Birth

Cyclical living is about honoring the natural ebb and flow of your energy, emotions, and body. In our conversation, Kasia shared how syncing your schedule with your hormonal rhythms (or even external rhythms like the moon or seasons if you're not cycling) can prevent burnout, reduce stress, and help you feel more grounded.

During pregnancy, this might look like:

Listening to your body’s energy peaks and allowing rest without guilt
Planning tasks and responsibilities based on your personal rhythms
Eating and moving in ways that feel nourishing instead of performative

In postpartum, it could include:

Honoring the deep rest required for healing
Being aware of emotional fluctuations and asking for support
Creating routines that follow your pace, not society’s timeline

This is especially important in the early weeks and months after birth, when hormonal shifts are intense and your nervous system is recalibrating.

“Rest is not weakness. It’s wisdom.”
— Kasia Stiggelbout

The Lies We’ve Been Told (And the Truths That Heal)

We’ve been fed so many unhelpful narratives around womanhood, motherhood, and productivity. Lies like:

"You should bounce back right after birth."
"You’ll feel like yourself again in 6 weeks."
"Sleep when the baby sleeps" (while doing laundry, cooking, and hosting visitors, apparently).

But Kasia shared some powerful truths that hit home:

Your energy isn’t broken. The system is.
You are meant to ebb and flow.
Rest is not weakness. It’s wisdom.

“Your energy isn’t broken. The system is.”
— Kasia Stiggelbout

Living In Flow is about reclaiming those truths. It’s about redefining productivity, reconnecting with your intuition, and honoring your own unique rhythm.

You Don’t Need to Do This Alone

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is this: support matters. Living cyclically is powerful, but it doesn’t mean you should go it alone. Whether you’re navigating your first trimester or figuring out how to get more than two hours of sleep with a newborn, you deserve community, compassion, and care.

That’s why I created my First Year Support Program and offer personalized postpartum doula care and sleep consulting. I know what it’s like to be deep in the trenches of new motherhood. And I know the power of someone saying, "Let me help you create rhythm where there feels like chaos."

“You are meant to ebb and flow.”
— Kasia Stiggelbout

💌 Want to start syncing with your own rhythm?
Kasia’s In FLow Planner at In Flow Planner. It’s a beautiful place to start. Use discount code: DOULADEB15 at check out for a 15% discount!

Ready to Reclaim Your Rhythm?

If you’re pregnant or postpartum and feeling like your rhythm’s been hijacked, I’m here to help you reclaim it. Book a support call with me, or explore the First Year Support Program — I’ll meet you exactly where you are.

Let's Talk

Guest Info: Kasia Stiggelbout with In Flow Planner

Kasia is the founder of In Flow, a wellness brand that helps women reconnect with their feminine rhythm. In Flow’s flagship planner empowers women* to align their schedules, movement, and nutrition with their cycles, transitioning from burnout to a state of flow.

After experiencing burnout and autoimmune challenges during her leadership roles at Microsoft and TEDxSF, Kasia left the tech world to study nutrition and Chinese Medicine. She now bridges the gap for women seeking to unlock creativity and vitality without sacrificing well-being.

Kasia hosts The Other Way podcast, exploring unconventional paths in work, wellness, and spirituality. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, meditating, reading, and unplugging altogether.

*In Flow is designed inclusively. Those who do not bleed can use the moon’s cycles as a guide.

Contact information:

Website: www.inflowplanner.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inflowplanner
Email: kasia@inflowplanner.com