The Seasons of Life
Estimated Read Time: ~4-6 minutes
Today at a Glance
How each season of the year carries a different rhythm and purpose in my life
Why I no longer feel like I need to be “on” or grinding all the time
How accepting these seasons has made it easier to transition and stay balanced
This week I noticed a shift. The weather’s cooler, leaves are starting to change, and people around me keep saying the same thing: “Time to lock back in.”
It made me reflect on how I used to live — especially from my early 20s through 27 — constantly grinding, constantly chasing, thinking I had to be “on” all the time. It was mentally exhausting.
What I’ve learned since is that life moves better in seasons. Just like the year itself, there are times to push and times to rest, times to loosen the grip and times to lock back in. The key isn’t to force yourself into one mode all the time, but to recognize what season you’re in and lean into it.
Everyone’s seasons will look different, but this is how I live mine. I don’t feel like I need to quit drinking, stress over my diet every day, or put constant pressure on myself to work. Instead, I let each season carry a different weight and focus, which makes it all more sustainable.
Summer: A Season for Fun and Recovery
For me, summer has always been a time to loosen the grip. I think back to being a kid when summer break meant no structure, no pressure, just running around and having fun. I try to carry a little of that energy with me now.
In the summer, I don’t demand perfection. I don’t hold myself to the same level of discipline I would in the winter. Instead, I make sure the basics are covered and let the rest of my energy go toward enjoying life.
That usually looks like:
Working out at least three times a week, but making it flexible. Lifting, volleyball, disc golf, running, whatever sounds fun.
Spending about an hour to an hour and a half on personal projects each day.
Reading or learning for 15–30 minutes, whether that’s a nonfiction book, a podcast, or a course.
And if I stay out too late or sleep in, I don’t beat myself up about it. That’s part of summer for me too, giving myself room to enjoy life without guilt.
It’s not nothing, but it’s lighter. It keeps the foundation in place while leaving space for travel, going out with friends, and saying yes to experiences.
Summer is when I give myself permission to prioritize joy and presence. It’s a reset, physical, mental, and emotional.
Fall: A Season for Refocus and Connection
Fall feels like the natural reset after summer. The weather cools, the leaves change, and there’s this collective energy of people locking back in.
For me, fall is about shifting gears. I start to de-prioritize the endless going out, the random late nights, and instead lean into more intentional time with people I care about. It’s family dinners, catching up with friends without it always revolving around drinking, and enjoying the season for what it is.
That might mean:
Visiting my family more often.
Going to see the leaves change or seasonal events.
Movie nights, game nights, watching football, getting into the rhythm of the season.
Saying no to a few more activities so I can protect my time.
Getting back into the structure of a schedule, aiming for 2–3 hours of personal project work, but being guilt free and accepting with an hour and a half.
Fall reminds me that life isn’t just about grinding toward goals. It’s also about soaking in experiences that only come around once a year.
It’s the season where I pull myself out of summer’s looseness, but not all the way into winter’s intensity. It’s a transition, a reset, and a reminder to make the most of the moments right in front of me.
Winter: A Season for Deep Work and Discipline
Winter has always been my hibernation season. The cold makes it easy to stay inside, and I naturally pull back from social events. Instead of seeing that as a bad thing, I use it as fuel for focus.
This is when I lean into structure and discipline the most:
I work out at least five times a week.
I spend three or more hours a day on personal projects or creative work.
I spend at least an hour I spend reading, working on a course, and sharpening my skills.
Winter feels like the right time to double down. The distractions are fewer, the days are shorter, and the energy is naturally quieter. I’ve learned to use that quiet for progress.
At times, it can feel like going MIA. During bodybuilding prep last winter, it was dark, monotonous, grind-heavy, and not exactly fun. But something strange happened in that process. Without distractions no social media, no TV until late at night, no going out I found a deeper side of myself. My brain felt on fire. I had more creativity, more ideas, and more clarity about how I saw life.
I’m not saying everyone needs to go to that extreme, but it taught me that cutting back distractions can unlock a deeper level of focus and perspective. Winter is the season that reminds me of that truth.
Spring: A Season for Growth and Lightness
Spring feels like the reset button after a long winter. The days get longer, the weather turns warmer, and there’s this energy of possibility in the air.
For me, spring is about lightening up. After months of deep work and discipline, I start to loosen my grip. I still keep structure workouts, personal projects, learning but I give myself more room to enjoy the little things.
That might look like:
Taking advantage of the first warm days to get outside, even if it means cutting work a little short.
Saying yes to more social plans.
Letting creativity feel playful instead of grind-heavy.
If winter is about building, spring is about letting some of that energy bloom. It’s when I start to re-engage with the world a little more, test new ideas, and enjoy the balance between discipline and freedom.
Spring is also when I remind myself that growth doesn’t always have to feel heavy. Sometimes it’s just about showing up, being open, and letting momentum build naturally.
Closing Thoughts
If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be this: you don’t have to be “on” all the time. Life works better in seasons.
There’s a time to loosen your grip and enjoy yourself. There’s a time to lock back in and push harder. There’s a time to hunker down and go deep. And there’s a time to lighten up and let momentum carry you.
What’s surprised me most is how natural it feels once you accept it. Over the past couple weeks, I’ve noticed that shifting into fall hasn’t been forced. Getting up early to work on projects hasn’t felt like a fight. Saying no to things hasn’t been a burden. Moving forward on goals hasn’t been a grind.
I think that’s because I let summer be summer. I gave myself the space to enjoy it without guilt. And now, I’m ready for what’s next.
You don’t need to push all the time. You just need to recognize the season you’re in and let it do its work.