Seasonal Self-Care: Using Context to Find Your Routine

One of the most frequent conversations I have with clients is about self-care—how to define it, how to prioritize it, and how to sustain it. It’s a topic that feels simple on the surface but quickly becomes complex (especially for parents juggling family, work, and personal responsibilities.)

A breakthrough moment many clients experience comes when we shift the idea that self-care must look the same year-round. That’s just not sustainable. Context matters—and our context changes with the seasons.

Some seasons offer more space, others are more chaotic. Some bring energy, others bring exhaustion. What’s kind and realistic for you in one season might feel completely out of reach in another—and that’s okay.

Self-care isn't about finding a perfect, unchanging routine. It's about meeting yourself where you are—with compassion.

Whether it’s the literal weather (hello, sweltering summer afternoons or icy winter mornings) or the shifting seasons of life (kids in school vs. kids at home, a demanding project at work, or recovering from illness), our capacity, energy, and availability change. So why shouldn't our self-care evolve too?

Instead of trying to stick to one perfect routine all year, I encourage a seasonal approach to self-care. This might look like:

• A “spring self-care routine” that embraces longer days and blooming energy

• A “kids-are-home summer plan” that prioritizes flexibility and grace

• A “back-to-school reboot” that carves out time when the house is quiet again

• Or even a “busy season” version when work deadlines take center stage

By aligning your self-care with your current season, you're much more likely to stay consistent.

Here are a few things to consider when developing your seasonal self-care routine:

#1 - What’s Realistic Right Now?

Start by assessing your current capacity. What do you actually have time, energy, and access for?

For example, if walking is your favorite form of movement but the summer heat makes it unbearable, an afternoon walk is less likely to happen. Instead, maybe it’s early morning strolls before the heat sets in—or investing in a walking pad for indoor movement.

Self-care doesn’t have to be rigid. Let it adapt with you.

#2 -  What’s Sustainable in This Season?

Big goals are exciting—until life gets in the way. Maybe reading is your go-to self-care activity, and during the school year you’re flying through a book a week. But now it’s summer, the kids are home, and quiet time is scarce.

Rather than abandoning reading entirely or stressing over unmet goals, shift the plan. Listen to audiobooks while making lunch or reduce your reading target to two books a month. Sustainability matters more than ambition here.

#3 - What Are Your Values?

Self-care is more effective when it aligns with what truly matters to you. Are you craving more movement? Deep connection with your children? Creative time alone?

Clarifying your values can help you direct your energy in ways that feel nourishing—not just like another to-do list item. This helps reduce guilt and increase balance, because you’re prioritizing what genuinely fills your cup.

#4 - What Types of Self-Care Matter Most Right Now?

We often think of self-care as physical (exercise, sleep), but it includes so much more: emotional, spiritual, social, and mental care all play a role.

I often use the framework of Mind / Body / Spirit when supporting clients or designing my own routines. Ask yourself:

• What am I doing to care for my mind?

• How am I tending to my body?

• What nourishes my spirit in this season?

Some seasons might call for more emotional support, while others might highlight the need for physical rest or creative expression. You don’t need to cover every base every day—just be curious about what part of you is asking for care.

#5 -  What Support Do You Need?

No matter the season, support is essential to sustaining self-care. This might be logistical (your partner taking the kids grocery shopping while you have alone time) or emotional (a friend who joins you for a twice-weekly movement class).

Asking for support is a powerful act of self-care all on its own.

Self-care isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula—and it certainly isn’t static.

By tuning in to your current season of life and giving yourself permission to adapt, you can create routines that are more realistic, sustainable, and meaningful.

Especially for parents, whose routines and responsibilities change so often, this mindset shift can be the key to actually experiencing the benefits of self-care, rather than constantly chasing an ideal.

If you need some guidance in exploring what this looks like for you, therapy can be a valuable space to do the work to get clear on values, context, support, and goals. Reach out to us at Brentwood Counseling Associates to start your self-care journey today!

Emily is a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in perinatal mental health, anxiety disorders, and the mind/body connection. She is currently available to see new clients! See her page here to learn more.