What We Misunderstand About Seasons-It's About the Layers

We talk about seasons as if they were well-organized, punctual, and emotionally considerate. Like winter politely clocks out, spring shows up on time, and by Tuesday, everyone feels motivated again. That is not how seasons work. That is not how life works. 

What we misunderstand about seasons is that they’re messy. They overlap. They linger. They show up uninvited and refuse to leave, like a houseguest who keeps saying, “I’ll head out soon,” while opening another snack. We’ve been fed this idea that if you’re 'in a season of growth', you should look inspired and mildly glowing at all times. But real growth usually looks like confusion, exhaustion, and googling “is this normal or am I losing it?” Spoiler: it’s normal.

Winter gets the worst reputation. We treat winter seasons like personal failures. You’re tired? Unmotivated? Wanting to disappear under a blanket with snacks and zero expectations? Clearly, something is wrong with you. Except… that’s literally what winter is for. Winter is not a productivity contest. It’s a rest stop. It’s where things slow down, shut up, and conserve energy. No one expects trees to bloom in January, yet we’re out here demanding emotional fireworks from ourselves during burnout. I love winter. It's cozy, and I find myself more retrospective and thoughtful. This is my creative season.

Fall energy? It's refreshing. Cooler air. Clearer thinking. A quieter kind of confidence. You’re not rushing forward — you’re choosing what’s worth bringing with you. Fall is where you edit your life, not in panic, but with intention. And unlike spring, fall doesn’t demand reinvention. It simply asks for honesty. What’s still nourishing? What’s dead weight? What can be released so the next season doesn’t feel so heavy? Fall is preparation, not decline. It’s trust. Trust that rest is coming. Trust that what’s meant to return will — in its own time. Fall doesn’t rush, and it doesn’t regret. It clears space and calls for wisdom.

Spring? Spring is chaos disguised as hope. Everyone talks about new beginnings like they’re clean and aesthetic. They’re not. Spring is muddy. It’s awkward. It’s starting over while still tired from winter. You’re not behind — you’re just mid-transition and slightly unhinged. Nothing blooms all at once. Everything is damp, uneven, and slightly unsure of itself. Spring asks you to begin again before you feel ready. Suddenly, there’s this expectation to be motivated, inspired, and moving forward. It’s a lot.

Summer has a reputation problem. It’s marketed as carefree, golden, and endlessly joyful, but let’s be honest — summer asks for a lot. Too much heat. Too many expectations to be 'out there' living your best life while slowly melting. Everything is brighter, stickier. There’s this constant pressure to participate — to be productive, social, energized, adventurous. And meanwhile, you’re just trying to exist without overheating emotionally and physically. All I want to do is sit inside with the blinds closed and the AC doing the heavy lifting. Summer reminds us that even a good thing can become overwhelming. That constant sunshine drains me far more than darkness ever could. So, with that said, summer is NOT my season, with all its looooong sunshine-y days and excessive heat. It really sucks the life out of me.

Here’s the thing no one says: you can be in multiple seasons at once. Thriving at work, spiraling emotionally. Healing in therapy, still crying in the car. Life doesn’t wait for one season to finish before starting another. Also, some seasons don’t come with clarity or closure. They just… fade. One day, you realize you’re lighter than you were before, and that’s it. No big lesson. No dramatic ending. Just quieter. So if you’re frustrated with yourself for not blooming, not moving faster, not having it all figured out — relax. You’re not failing. You’re seasonal. Like allergies. Or motivation. Dress for the weather. Stop yelling at yourself for being human.

This season will pass — even if it’s taking its sweet time.

Pour the coffee. Do it anyway.

love, kate

A little bit of humor: Spring is hope with trust issues. Summer is overstimulation in a cute outfit. Fall is emotional decluttering with pumpkin spice snacks. I'm not lazy, it's my winter season.