Last Updated on January 22, 2023 by Thalia
About Marie-Pier
I am Marie-Pier Deschênes, a water lover, introvert writer, graduate of a master’s degree in social work, yogi and curious to read everything that is written on the menstrual cycle.
I am also a queer and polyamorous woman. I share my life with PO, a rather funny tall curly-haired man who charmed me with his questionable humour and his love of hikes that end with 2-3 beers at the top of the mountain.
I aspire to accompany courageous women in search of freedom, simplicity and harmony to reconnect with the power of their menstrual cycle with my simple & easily applicable teaching.
My approach is based on my master’s degree in social work, more than 5 years of experience in intervention and a very strong desire to act in alignment with my values to support the common good.
More on my wellness journey
When did it begin?
What made you want to start taking better care of your mental and physical health?
Picture it: 2019. I was a brand new, fresh, out-of-the-box business owner who decided to take the leap and try to make a living with my writing skills on the web.
I was looking for some tools to take care of myself and find a sustainable rhythm, far away from what I was reading online at the time of the “Girl Boss” and “Hustle Culture” eras.
When I found Claire Baker’s work on the menstrual cycle, my life changed instantly!
It was a real call to go deeper and explore how my energy, creativity, libido and needs shifted from day to day due to hormonal fluctuations.
I was not crazy nor broken; I was cyclical.
Oh, I wish someone had told me that way sooner. And that’s precisely why I decided right then and there to teach everything I was learning about our menstrual cycle.
Cue my new life passion!
Wellness Q&A with Marie-Pier
What does a healthy work-life balance look like to you?
For the first 3 years of being a business owner, I was confident that I had found THE way to balance everything and was proud when someone told me, “You’re doing it all, aren’t you?”
Little did I know, Burnout with a capital B was heading my way.
In the summer of 2021, I crashed. Hard.
Burnout and depression were part of my life for the next few months (and they are still hanging out sometimes to remind me not to take that road anymore).
The first step I took to navigate a healthy-ish work-life balance was to prioritise my health above all else and learn to say NO.
I chose to do way less than I was doing but to BE more.
Now, my work routine is much more adjusted to my needs: no meetings on Mondays and Fridays, no podcast recordings at night, no answers to my clients before 9 am and after 5 pm and my best days start with a hot bath and a true crime podcast (my vision of paradise if you ask me).
I now also follow this simple but soothing calm energy routine by Clara Bailey (most days, because of balance remember):
- Hydrate – Drink 2–3 litres of water and/or nourishing herbal infusions throughout the day
- Remedies – Take your daily herbs and nutrients
- Move & Stretch – Do something every day that moves your body that is loving and enjoyable
- Bed (on) time – Make it to bed at the time that gives you 7–8 hours of sleep
- Rest – Hit pause and put your feet up
- For Folks Who FAM Chart – Note your fertile signs in your chart or chosen app
How do you make sure you are regularly prioritising your mental and physical well-being?
Therapy, daily self-check-ins and non-negotiables.
I started therapy in December 2021, after my depression diagnosis, and it was the best investment for my mental health. I know that not everyone has the privilege to work with a therapist. But if you can, please offer this gift to yourself.
Daily self-check-ins: I’ve created a life for myself where I have time to ask myself, “How do you feel today? What do you need?” and to take action accordingly. It feels self-indulging, but it’s not. It’s a necessity to take even a few minutes every single day to check in with yourself.
Cycle tracking is also a great way to do that.
Non-negotiables: sleep, food that makes me feel happy and energised, time outdoors, time alone (#introvert), time to be creative and movements to take care of my body and have fun.
And the good news? All of this (or most) is totally free!
How do you show yourself self-love and self-care? Are there any particular activities you indulge in and what inner work do you do?
I could say A LOT of things about this, but here is a random list :
- Giving myself permission not to follow the rules
- Giving myself permission to create just for the purpose of creating without any performance – the beauty is in the process, not the result
- Giving myself a lot of space to feel all the feelings with less judgment as possible
- Telling me that I am queer enough, creative enough, woman enough
- Practising the concept of “good enough” – nothing can be perfect, and I shouldn’t try to reach that
- Adding the bare minimum Monday to my routine to ease the transition from the weekend to my work week
- Accepting that I have traumas to heal, that healing is not linear, and it doesn’t have a due date
What is your favourite productivity hack?
Cycle syncing without hesitation!
I swear by it, but please don’t try to micro-manage all of your life (been there, done that, no good!)
Which self-help or personal development book would you recommend and why?
My mentor’s book: 50 Things You Need To Know About Periods by Claire Baker.
A great book to explore and dip your toes (or take a real plunge) into the menstrual wellness world.
Get 50 Things You Need To Know About Periods on Amazon today
What would you say to your 21-year-old self?
You’ll be a writer one day (actually, you have always been one). Just keep going; your journey is worth it and is what makes you so unique. And you are not too much; you are just enough!
And lastly, what’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
During my master’s degree, one of my professors told us, “You can be part of the problem or the solution. It’s for you to choose.”
Since then, I have tried to make choices and actions to be part of the solution.
Where to find Marie-Pier
For more menstrual wellness and cycle advice, follow Marie-Pier on Instagram or listen to her podcast, Sovereign and to find out how you can work with Marie-Pier, head over to her website www.mariepierdeschenes.com
One last thing…
If you are a health and wellness entrepreneur and would like to collaborate with me on a guest Q&A and reflect on your well-being journey, then please get in touch via my contact form
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