Accepting, Navigating, + Celebrating the Seasons of Life

What season are you in right now? And do you even know?

The phrase "seasons of life" sounds romantic and poetic. Gentle, even. But the actual experience of watching seasons change in your own life? That can feel jarring, confusing, and sometimes downright painful. We don't always get to choose when the leaves start turning.

In this episode of Beyond Your Default, George and Liz lean into the discomfort of this topic. Liz admits upfront that when George suggested it, her internal response was something like the scene in Clue where Mrs. White says, "The flames... the flames on the side of my head." Which, of course, meant it was exactly the conversation she needed to have.

Why This Episode Exists

George was sitting in his leadership group, listening to a conversation between a couple of high achievers. And internally, his brain was screaming: don't they realize and embrace the seasons of life?

He waited for someone to bring it up. No one did.

"One thing I've been really paying attention to since the start of this podcast is the moments in my life when my brain is shouting things, and then I find silence from those around me. Because when I find those moments, I'm like, oh, this needs to be a podcast episode."

What We Mean by Seasons of Life

Thinking about life like it's made up of different seasons helps us understand that life changes, just like the weather does. This way of seeing things helps us get ready for and learn from each part of our life.

George breaks it down:

Spring: Growth and Renewal. Think of this as your fresh start. It's a time to be curious, try out new things, and make changes, just like everything around us is waking up and growing.

Summer: Nurturing and Thriving. Summer's when you take care of what you started in spring and help it grow. It's about doing your best, enjoying your achievements, and feeling good about your progress.

Fall (Autumn): Reflection and Transition. A time to reflect on your work and decide what's important. Figuring out what to keep and what to let go, making room for new things to come. And remember: autumn isn't dying. It's harvest season. Time to reap what you've sown.

Winter: Rest and Rejuvenation. Winter is for taking a break, looking inward, especially when times are tough. It's about saving your energy, thinking about your experiences, and healing so you're ready when spring comes back around.

As Jared Brock puts it: "There's a season for everything under the sun. Even when we can't see the sun."

The First Night in Her Own Bed Since July 2023

Liz recorded this episode from her brand new apartment. The first time she'd slept in her own bed since July 18, 2023.

Why such a long gap? After her divorce, she realized she didn't trust herself to make the right decisions for herself anymore. She'd been sleepwalking through life, going through the motions of what she was "supposed to" want, ignoring every intuitive red flag screaming that something was wrong.

"I had to rehabilitate my ability to know what I wanted for me in a way that was rooted in my values and my purpose versus what I thought I was supposed to want."

She threw everything she owned in storage and said: I need to learn how to be Liz.

George drops a truth bomb in response: "Sometimes you might have to live in a downsized environment to live an upscaled life."

Liz went from a half million dollar house to a cute artist loft apartment in downtown historic Annapolis. And she's never been happier.

"This is the happiest I've ever been. I have never felt more authentic."

Walking To or Walking From?

Liz shares a moment that hit her hard. A friendship had quietly ended. No drama. No big falling out. It just didn't make it. And she was hurt.

A friend asked her a question that changed everything: "Are they where you are walking to or where you are walking from?"

That doesn't mean you don't celebrate what that friendship was or what it gave you. But you have to be honest. Some people are meant to be with you for a season, not for the whole journey.

The "I'm Supposed To" Warning Sign

George offers a warning: "When you start hearing in your own brain or telling yourself the narrative of the list of supposed to's, I would warrant that as a Def Con 4 warning. Red lights should be going off."

And the consequence?

"If you go through a season of I'm supposed to, you're probably gonna end up in a season of I'm sorrys."

Why We Struggle With Seasons

George identifies several reasons people resist this mindset:

Tough experiences are hard to reframe. When someone goes through something really painful, it can be hard to see these tough times as just part of life's journey. They might find it difficult to find anything good in these moments or accept that hard times are something everyone goes through.

We find comfort in things staying the same. It can be tough to let go of a really good time and accept that things are moving into a new chapter. And if you're stuck in that belief structure that the good times will last forever, you don't prepare yourself for what's next.

We don't realize life has natural ups and downs. If you haven't tuned in to this reality, you might think changes or tough times are just random acts of unfairness instead of a normal part of life's rhythm. And when you take the shock out of the scenario, you navigate it differently.

Liz adds another layer: sometimes you can't see the seasons because you're still in the middle of the seasonal change. And that's okay.

"You can't write a story you're still living. You can't process and make a purposeful thing out of a trauma you are still experiencing."

What Changed for George

George traces his shift back to Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, a scripture he'd seen countless times but didn't really absorb until later in life:

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted..."

There wasn't one big catalyst moment. It happened gradually, mostly between his hospital stay for high blood pressure and being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

"The older we get, the universe has a fun way of showing us just how human we are. And for most of my young life, I ignored or ran from the fact that I was human. I lived more like I was an invincible superhero. But there's something very freeing about understanding your own humanness, how you actually fit into the world, and how seasons will come and go."

Four Shifts to Embrace the Seasons

George offers four practical shifts:

Be thankful. Even when times are tough, find ways to be grateful. And it doesn't have to be big. I'm thankful I woke up. I'm thankful for the cool breeze. Micro gratitude still counts.

Go with the flow. Remember that change is just part of life. When you accept that and see the good things change can bring, it's easier to deal with new situations. Be the water, not the wall.

Live in the now. Pay attention to what's happening right now instead of living in future worries or past regrets. This can help you feel more at peace and less stressed.

Learn from what happens. Every experience, good or bad, can teach you something. Think about what you can learn from different situations so you can grow and get better from them.

The Benefits of This Mindset

Enjoy the now. Whether you're growing, taking a break, or thinking things over, you can find joy in the moment. This makes life feel fuller and more enjoyable.

Learn more about yourself. Seeing life as seasons teaches you to look for what you can learn at any given point. You start seeing repeat patterns. Been here, done that. I made it through that time. I'm gonna make it through this time.

Stay hopeful. When you focus on the good that each season can bring, you stay hopeful even when times are hard. Remembering that good times are just around the corner can keep your spirits up.

Feel calmer and happier. Understanding that life changes like the seasons can help you worry less about the future and let go of the past.

Find your why. Each season gives you a chance to find your purpose. Maybe you're setting new goals, taking care of what matters, or getting ready for what's next. Knowing there's a reason for each season can give you a clear sense of direction.

"Sometimes you might have to live in a downsized environment to live an upscaled life."

"If you go through a season of I'm supposed to, you're probably gonna end up in a season of I'm sorrys."

"You can't write a story you're still living."

Questions to Sit With

1. What season are you in right now? A period of growth, reflection, rest, or transition?
2. How does recognizing this season help you understand your feelings and experiences better?
3. Looking back, can you identify what you've learned from a particularly challenging or rewarding season in your life?
4. How has that knowledge shaped who you are today?

Listen to the full episode to hear George and Liz unpack their personal journeys through seasons of life, why Liz had to learn how to be herself again, and what becomes possible when you stop fighting the natural rhythm of change.