6 Things You SHOULD Focus on While Mercury Is In Retrograde

It's almost that dreaded time of year again, with Mercury in retrograde arriving on March 14 and sticking around until April 6, 2025.

For astrology girlies, Mercury in retrograde—when, from the perspective of Earth, Mercury appears to be moving backward in its orbit—is a period often associated with communication breakdowns, technological mishaps, travel delays and endless frustration. Even further, it's said to have a "shadow period" both in the two weeks leading into Mercury retrograde and the two weeks leading out of it, during which its effects are less intense but still present.

Mercury will also be in retrograde twice more before the end of 2025 (first from July 17 to Aug. 10 and then from Nov. 9 to Nov. 29), and while many people will tell you everything you absolutely shouldn't do during this time, we're here to tell you the best ways to focus your energy for positive results during this somewhat chaotic time.

Think Before You Speak

The planet Mercury is said to rule communication in all forms, from chatting to listening, as well as reading, writing, creating art and also engaging in social media. When Mercury is in retrograde, these things can go a little bit haywire. It can take longer to effectively communicate what you have to say, or messages can get lost in translation and completely misunderstood.

Of course, this doesn't mean you can (or should) stop communicating with others completely during this time. Instead, we suggest you take more time to consider what you say before you say it. Work to be more clear and concise, while also regarding other people's feelings more deeply before you speak. Now isn't the time to be painfully honest or blunt to the point of hurting feelings. We suggest being careful and considerate in your communications and proofreading your written communications before you press "send."

(via Unsplash)

 

Plan and Refocus

Mercury in retrograde doesn't have a reputation for being a great time to start or invest in new projects. Instead, we suggest you use this time for reflection, planning and refocusing your energy.

The official start of spring will arrive during this period, so it may be tempting to jump right into a new fitness routine or self-care regimen. Before you do so, take plenty of time to consider what your goals are and where the biggest imbalances in your life might lie. Pay attention to the areas of your life that are getting more attention that they should and decide where you might want to redirect those in the future. Test out small changes you could make to your day, like setting aside time for reading, going on a long lunchtime walk or cooking a healthy and wholesome meal. Then try something completely different the next day. See what works best for you, and from there, build these pieces into your new routine once retrograde ends.

 

Also read about: 7 Instagram Captions to Use While Mercury is in Retrograde

 

Slow Down

During this period, we don't recommend being in a rush or leaving things to the last minute. As Mercury in retrograde is associated with both technological malfunctions and transport delays, give yourself extra time to do things, whether that's putting together a presentation on the computer or driving somewhere. Account for traffic, don't overbook and calendar and give yourself some extra wiggle room in case things go wrong. If you have to travel during this time, bake in extra time for unexpected delays and detours. Also, take the extra time to double-check that messages have sent, that important documents have saved and that the fast food order you placed through the app is for the right location—just in case!

 

Follow Your Intuition

Since communication and even logical thinking can be a bit skewed during Mercury in retrograde, try turning inward and following your intuition and your heart, instead. We've mentioned before that this isn't the time to embark on new projects, but we'll make an exception for ones that focus inward and help you learn how to better communicate with yourself.

Start by journaling, however that might look for you. Maybe you want to write about your day, or the emotions you've been feeling, or the things you're most grateful for in the moment. You may also want to take up a practice like deep breathing, meditation or yoga to center yourself and embrace a more present and mindful mentality. These things will also help you hone your intuition and allow you to better trust your gut when the facts don't steer you in an obvious direction.

(via Unsplash)

 

Also read about: 11 Practical Tips and Tricks for Thriving During Mercury in Retrograde

 

Take a Look at Your Finances

More and more, Mercury—which rules technology—is also gaining influence over financial aspects in our lives, because who uses cash anymore? This is a time to look over your finances and get a better understanding of whether you've been splurging or overspending in any areas. Perhaps you're paying for subscriptions you're not using or eating out more often than is comfy for your budget. Also, push off any major purchases until after Mercury retrograde, if at all possible.

 

Embrace the Season

At the end of the day, fearing Mercury retrograde and everything it might bring will only make it more likely that things will go wrong. Instead, we suggest focusing on the positives. Give yourself some leeway to stop, take a look at things and see what's working for you and what's not. Just like the planet appears to be moving backward before it resumes its forward momentum, you may also need to learn to take a step back before you find yourself on the right path.

(via Shutterstock)

 

For even more on the phenomenon, click HERE to learn more about what it means when each planet is in retrograde.