When You're Caught Between Seasons and Burnout

It’s the last stretch of August. The air feels heavier. There’s a nudge toward routine, productivity, “back to it” energy — even if your soul’s not quite ready.

There’s that quiet panic that says I’m not ready to go again.

That creeping guilt because you’re not full of plans or energy or goals for the season ahead.

That lingering hold of summer you don’t yet want to shake off.

If you feel this way right now, this week's episode of A Thought I Kept where I interview Lyndsay Kaldor is for you.

Lyndsay is a writer, mother and creative whose life changed when her yoga teacher shared something simple but radical:

““Flowers don’t bloom all year round.””

It landed at a time in her twenties when she was living what she calls a “summer existence” — always outwards, productive, performing, never pausing. That line became a turning point — an invitation into rest, seasonality, and a whole new way of living.

In this week’s episode, Lyndsay and I talk about:

• Why burnout often looks like numbness, sameness, or disconnection

• How to tell when it’s time to stop pushing and start tending

• What seasonal living actually means (no picture-perfect routines required)

• How to mother, work, create or just exist without being always “on”

• The quiet power of letting growth be unseen, slow, and small

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Maybe your life doesn't look seasonal.

Maybe you’re in a job that doesn’t change pace, or a home that feels full of noise and needs.

Maybe you're tired of trying to change things — and just need to know you're not doing it wrong.

This conversation won't tell you to quit it all and start over.

But it will remind you that it’s OK to rest. To reset slowly. To resist the pressure of the algorithm, the to-do list, the inner critic who tells you to keep up.

This episode is for the part of you that needs permission.

To be quiet. To not know. To not be blooming right now.

We are not machines. We are living things. We shift. We fade. We return.

And just like the natural world, we’re allowed to move in cycles.

Burnout isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes it’s just the weariness of being endlessly outward when what you need is inward.

So if you’re in that messy, in-between moment — not quite summer, not quite autumn, not quite ready — this is for you.

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Are you feeling a shift right now?

What season are you in — internally — even if the world’s moving on?

Listen to this episode of A Thought I Kept on Substack or wherever you get your podcasts.

“The Quiet Rebellion of Honouring Your Inner Seasons” with Lyndsay Kaldor.

Subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you don’t miss future episodes.

How to Manage Holiday Burnout and Embrace Seasonal Self-Care

Last December, I found myself sitting in my car outside a crowded shopping centre, utterly drained. I had just spent hours rushing from one errand to the next, trying to make everything perfect for the holidays.

Instead of feeling festive, I felt a deep sense of resentment—toward the season, the expectations, and even myself for not being able to keep up.

It wasn’t until I stopped and asked, “What do I actually need right now?” that I realised I wasn’t failing; I was simply running on empty. That moment shifted how I approached the rest of the holidays.

The holidays bring a mix of joy and chaos— it’s a season to celebrate, yet one that can also push us to our limits. Between endless to-do lists, more complicated family dynamics, and the pressure to make everything perfect, it’s easy to feel stretched thin. Add in the emotional weight of year-end reflections, and burnout can quickly take hold.

But what if we could shift the focus this season, embracing a gentler, maybe even messier, approach that prioritizes your well-being? Here are some ideas for avoiding, or navigating, holiday burnout.

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First, How to Identify Holiday Burnout

Holiday burnout can creep up on us, often disguised as everyday stress. It might feel like constant exhaustion, even after a full night’s sleep, or irritability over small things that wouldn’t normally bother you.

Physically, it can show up as tension headaches, a racing mind, or a sense of being on edge. Emotionally, you may notice feelings of detachment, overwhelm, or resentment toward tasks and traditions you once enjoyed.

Pay attention to the signals: are you losing your patience more easily, withdrawing from loved ones, or struggling to keep up with your usual energy levels? Recognizing these signs early is the first step in addressing burnout and finding ways to restore your capacity during the season.

Just know that burnout during the holidays doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong; it means you’re human. And if holiday burnout does show up use it as a reminder to pause and reconnect with what truly matters.

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Second, What to Do If You’re Feeling Burned Out This Holiday Season

Here’s how to manage holiday burnout while embracing seasonal self-care and meaningful connection:

1. Pause and Identify Your Emotions

When emotions feel overwhelming, we often want to avoid them at all costs, but paying attention to them could be the key to feeling better. Take a moment just to name your emotions. Saying (to yourself perhaps) “I feel anxious” or “I feel overwhelmed” helps reduce the intensity of an emotion and gives you clarity on what you need.

2.Incorporate Seasonal Self-Care

Self-care doesn’t have to be elaborate. Embrace small habits like enjoying a quiet cup of tea, stepping outside for fresh air, or saying no to an unnecessary task.

We often think this is the part that’s “indulgent” or that can be pushed back to later, but it’s often these small practices that can create the breathing room we most need amidst the chaos.

3. Build Positive Connections

Instead of focusing on what’s expected, look for authentic ways to connect. Share a meal, have a heartfelt conversation, or take a moment to thank someone you appreciate. Small, genuine interactions can uplift your mood and theirs.

This might mean that you don’t make three stuffings, or that you don’t pack in multiple events in one day, or that you buy one less perfect gift. Sometimes paring back or even shifting our expectations, can give us what we most need: time with the people we love and value the most.

Shifting the focus from perfection to presence can help transform the season into something meaningful, even amidst the busyness.

4. Set Boundaries for Your Emotional Capacity

When you feel your mental and emotional reserves depleting, give yourself permission to step back. Decline obligations that don’t serve you and focus on what truly restores your energy.

You don’t need to be “on” the whole Holiday Season: you can still honor your energy and it’s still ok to rest. It’s winter after all, a season that demands something quieter of us and invites us to retreat into cozy.

5. Reframe Your Perspective

Challenge the holiday “shoulds” and ask yourself, “What do I truly need right now?” Maybe it’s a moment of solitude, a conversation with a loved one, or just letting go of perfection.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that holidays are only successful if they’re flawless. But the truth is, the most meaningful moments often come when we let go of the pressure to do everything and focus instead on what we truly value.

When you start to feel burned out, try to connect back in with yourself and discover what you really need from this season so it can stay joyful and magical to you.

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This Holiday Season give yourself permission to rewrite the rules. Focus on what feels good to you, whether it’s embracing rest, creating space for joy, or finding new ways to connect with others. Start small, and remember: it’s okay to prioritise yourself in the midst of everything else.

What emotions are showing up for you this holiday season? How are you balancing connection and self-care?

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Feeling stressed, overwhelmed or a little burned out this Holiday Season?

Here’s how we can help:

1. Book a personalized Emotions Coaching session.

2. Join our Bath Workshop on Navigating Holiday Emotions.

3. Subscribe to our newsletter for our Well-ish Guide to the Holiday Season