Here’s the thing about self-care: it changes. You might be thriving on green smoothies and 6 A.M. jogs one month, then staring into space by mid-December, wondering why nothing feels quite right. That’s not failure. That’s rhythm. Seasons mess with your energy, your focus, your body. So instead of forcing a one-size-fits-all routine, what if you just... adjusted? A little? Here's how to stay grounded, feel good, and make space for some actual joy—one season at a time.
Winter: Stop Trying to Be Productive
January has zero chill, which is wild considering how cold everything is. There's this weird pressure to “start strong,” and meanwhile, you're freezing, over it, and just trying to not ghost everyone. In reality, winter's best when it's about restoration, not reinvention. That can look like earlier bedtimes, saying no more often, or pulling ideas from a list of winter self-care ideas that don’t involve forcing yourself into a wellness routine you’ll abandon by February. Low expectations, warm socks, and actual daylight help more than most resolutions.
Spring: Don’t Just Clean—Reset
There’s something about spring that makes everything feel possible again. Your brain clears up, your windows open, your calendar fills fast. It’s easy to skip over yourself in the rush. This is a good time to gently check in. Do you even like the way your days are set up? Would less screen time help? Would switching your walk to the morning actually change things? Just find one thing to edit and let the energy build from there.
Summer: You Need More Nothing
Here’s the truth: summer burns people out. Not because it's bad—but because it tricks you into thinking you’re relaxing when you’re actually just busier in different clothes. Weddings, trips, nonstop group texts—it’s fun until it’s... not. The fix isn’t complicated. You just need more blank space. That might mean staying in one night a week with no agenda, or revisiting holistic summer self-care ideas that help you slow the heck down. The goal here isn’t to be “on” all season. It’s to have moments where you forget what time it is.
Fall: Build a New Kind of Routine
Fall sounds cute—until it’s not. Everyone talks about cozy sweaters and soup season, but real talk? It gets hectic fast. Schedules fill up, group chats start popping off, and that back-to-school energy doesn’t care if you’re not in school. It’s easy to get swept up and end up running on fumes by October. This is your heads-up to pump the brakes early. You don’t have to redo your whole life—just find one or two things that help you feel like a person again. Start there. Keep it simple.
Everyday: Small Things That Actually Stick
You know what no one talks about? The boring stuff that actually works. It’s not sexy, but it’s real. Things like drinking water before coffee. Plugging your phone in across the room. Going outside before opening your laptop. These things don’t fix your life—but they keep you from spiraling. And the best part? They take zero effort once they’re baked in. Start small. The wins add up fast.
Anchor Yourself with Something Visual
We talk a lot about mental clarity, but there’s something weirdly grounding about putting it on paper—or in this case, the wall. When you make your own calendar, you’re not just organizing your schedule. You’re turning your year into something you can literally see. Photos you love, notes to future you, months laid out where you can plan downtime before you crash. It’s simple, but powerful. Especially when life feels like it’s moving too fast.
Move and Eat Like You’re on Your Own Team
Here’s the problem with most health advice: it assumes you’re trying to win something. You’re not. You’re trying to feel okay in your body while living your actual life. So if exercise feels like punishment or your meals feel like math, it’s not working. The goal isn’t discipline—it’s support. Movement should shake the stress out, not stack it on. Eating well should leave you full and clear, not guilty or obsessing. This doesn’t mean overhauling everything. You don’t need perfect. You need fuel, movement, and a little grace.
Zoom Out—Just a Little
You don’t need to journal every morning or do a weekly life review. But once in a while, take a minute. What felt good lately? What felt off? What do you want more of? You don’t have to make it deep. Just notice. If you’ve had a week that’s all survival mode and zero reset, that’s fine too. You can always start again. Sometimes, daily micro-habits are enough to rescue and carry you until you get your spark back.
If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to “get it together,” maybe stop. Start smaller. Start weirder. Let winter be about quiet. Let spring be about space. Let summer be for real joy. Let fall be for slowing down. Let your habits change with your life. You’re not behind—you’re just adjusting. And if you can keep doing that, you’ll feel more like yourself no matter what the season throws at you.
Dorothy Watson grew up with a single mother who wasn't properly diagnosed with bipolar disorder for over a decade. In her mother’s honor, she created Mental Wellness Center to support those who are working toward improving their mental health.