The Fallacy of Constant Productivity
For many women, the modern approach to wellness feels like another set of chores. We are taught that success is a linear climb—a series of goals to be hit and programs to be completed. Jen Martens, founder of Bloom Seasonal Living, spent years embodying this mindset.
"For years I was the woman who filled every hour with something, schedules, plans, productivity systems because I was terrified of wasting my life," Martens shares. This relentless pursuit of efficiency led to a common modern paradox: burnout. "What I got for all that effort was burnout, fatigue, and this strange, ironic feeling of missing my life while I was working so hard to live it fully."
Embracing the Cycle
Martens' perspective shifted when she began observing the natural world. She noticed that nature does not maintain a peak level of production year-round; instead, it moves through phases of expansion and restoration. This observation forms the basis of her coaching philosophy, which aligns with broader concepts of cyclical living, where human energy is viewed as fluctuating rather than static.
According to Martens, conventional goal-setting is flawed because it "assumes you should operate at the same capacity in January as you do in June, which is just not how bodies or minds actually work." By adopting a seasonal approach, women can acknowledge that their energy, cravings, and needs for rest naturally shift with the time of year.
Redefining Joy and Wellness
One of the most significant hurdles Martens encounters with her clients is the belief that joy is a destination. Many women view joy as a reward waiting at the end of a rigorous 8-week program or a specific weight-loss goal.
"Joy isn't waiting at the finish line of perfect consistency," Martens explains. "It's available right now, in the way you approach taking care of yourself." She suggests that the shift happens when a woman stops treating her health like a school assignment and instead asks, "what does my body actually want today?"
Moving from the "Grind" to Playfulness
For those trapped in a "grind" mindset, the idea of adding "self-care" to a to-do list can feel overwhelming. To combat this, Martens avoids prescribing new actions and instead encourages a shift in perception, similar to the mindfulness practices used to reduce burnout.
Rather than adding a new task, she asks clients to simply notice small, existing moments of pleasure. "Maybe it was the warmth of her morning tea, or a stretch she did while waiting for coffee to brew," she notes. By treating these moments as experiments rather than obligations, the pressure to "earn" the right to feel good begins to dissolve. "Playfulness isn't a practice you add, it's a lens you shift."
Practical Takeaways for Seasonal Living
To begin integrating these principles, Martens suggests moving away from rigid expectations and toward curiosity. The goal is to stop asking "what am I supposed to do?" and start observing how your internal rhythm matches the external environment. By giving yourself permission to slow down during restorative periods and expand during energetic ones, wellness becomes a sustainable rhythm rather than a grueling chore.