Living Cyclically in a Linear World: Why You’re Not Lazy, You’re Human

There’s a moment I think we’ve all had - usually when we’re staring at a to-do list we’ve completely ignored - where we think:

“Why can’t I just get on with things?”

I’ve had that feeling more times than I can count lately. It’s like my to-do list has turned into a to-don’t list, and I’m just here for the ride.

Projects half-finished. Plans paused. Motivation that comes and goes.

And for a long time, I thought the problem was me. I mean, who wouldn't feel like a procrastination champ when Netflix or a doom scroll is calling your name

But what if the problem isn't you?

The Problem: We’re Living in a Linear World

Modern life is built around one thing: constant forward motion.

Deadlines. Schedules. Productivity. Consistency. Hustle

We’re expected to show up the same way every day, with the same energy, the same focus, the same drive. Make that make sense!

That’s not how humans actually work.

The Reality: We’re Designed to Live in Cycles

Nature doesn’t operate on a straight line, it moves in cycles.

Seasons change. Energy rises and falls. Nothing blooms all year round.

And neither do we.

Some days you feel motivated and productive. Other days? Slower, reflective, or even drained.

That’s not failure.

That’s your natural rhythm.

A Real-Life Reminder (That I Didn’t Plan)

Recently, I went on a wildflower and witchcraft walk.

No pressure. No productivity goals. Just being outside, being told what was growing (literally right under our feet,) what was in season, what it was used for.

Today I took some time out and I went to pick wild garlic, something i've done the last few years

And it got me thinking…

That’s what cyclical living actually looks like.

Not rigid plans. Not forcing outcomes. But responding to what’s in front of you, and what season you’re in.

Why You Feel Burnt Out (Even When You’re Trying Your Best)

When we try to live linearly. but we’re wired cyclically, something gives.

Usually, it’s us.

That constant pressure to:

• Be consistent

• Stay motivated

• Always be “on”

Leads to guilt, burnout, and the feeling that you’re falling behind.

But often, what you’re really experiencing isn’t laziness.

It’s depletion.

The 7 Types of Rest You Might Actually Need

One of the biggest shifts for me was understanding that rest isn’t just about sleep.

There are actually seven different types of rest, and if you’re missing one, you’ll still feel exhausted:

• Physical rest - sleep, relaxation, slowing down

• Mental rest - switching off, quieting the noise

• Emotional rest - being honest, not constantly “holding it together”

• Social rest - stepping back from draining interactions

• Sensory rest - reducing overstimulation (phones, noise, screens)

• Creative rest - absorbing inspiration rather than producing

• Spiritual rest - feeling connected, grounded, purposeful

  
  

If you’re constantly tired, it might not be because you’re doing too much…

It might be because you’re not getting the right kind of rest.

How to Start Living More Cyclically (Without Turning Your Life Upside Down)

You don’t need to move to a forest or abandon your responsibilities (tempting as that sounds).

But you can start working with your energy instead of against it.

🌿 Notice your patterns

When do you feel most productive? When do you dip?

🌿 Stop forcing consistency

You don’t need to operate at 100% every day.

🌿 Plan for slower days

Build in space for rest, not just productivity.

🌿 Let seasons guide you

Winter = slower, reflective Spring = fresh starts Summer = action Autumn = reset

🌿 Give yourself permission to pause

Rest isn’t failure - it’s part of the cycle.

Maybe You’re Not Behind

We’re so used to measuring progress in straight lines.

More. Faster. Better.

But real life doesn’t work like that.

Sometimes you’re building. Sometimes you’re resting. Sometimes you’re just… being.

And all of it counts.

Maybe you’re not lazy. Maybe you’re not unmotivated. Maybe you’re not failing.

Maybe you’re just trying to live cyclically…

In a world that expects you to be linear.

Listen to the Podcast Episode

If this resonated with you, you can listen to the full episode of my podcast It’s A Small World!  where we explore this in more depth.

Have you noticed your own cycles? Are there times you feel more energised than others?

I’d love to hear your thoughts - drop a comment or message me.

Love Tx

“Why can’t I just get on with things?”

I’ve had that feeling more times than I can count lately.

Projects half-finished.Plans paused.Motivation that comes and goes like the British weather.

And for a long time, I thought the problem was me.

But what if it isn’t?

The Problem: We’re Living in a Linear World

Modern life is built around one thing: constant forward motion.

Deadlines.Schedules.Productivity.Consistency.

We’re expected to show up the same way every day — with the same energy, the same focus, the same drive.

But that’s not how humans actually work.

The Reality: We’re Designed to Live in Cycles

Nature doesn’t operate on a straight line — it moves in cycles.

Seasons change.Energy rises and falls.Nothing blooms all year round.

And neither do we.

Some days you feel motivated, clear, and productive.Other days? Slower, foggy, reflective.

That’s not failure.

That’s your natural rhythm.

A Real-Life Reminder (That I Didn’t Plan)

Recently, I went on a wildflower and “witchcraft” walk.

No pressure. No productivity goals. Just being outside, noticing what was growing, what was in season, what was available right now.

I came home with wild garlic — something I hadn’t planned, hadn’t scheduled, hadn’t forced.

And it hit me…

That’s what cyclical living actually looks like.

Not rigid plans.Not forcing outcomes.But responding to what’s in front of you — and what season you’re in.

Why You Feel Burnt Out (Even When You’re Trying Your Best)

When we try to live linearly — but we’re wired cyclically — something gives.

Usually, it’s us.

That constant pressure to:

• Be consistent

• Stay motivated

• Always be “on”

Leads to guilt, burnout, and the feeling that you’re falling behind.

But often, what you’re really experiencing isn’t laziness.

It’s depletion.

The 7 Types of Rest You Might Actually Need

One of the biggest shifts for me was understanding that rest isn’t just about sleep.

There are actually seven different types of rest, and if you’re missing one, you’ll still feel exhausted:

• Physical rest – sleep, relaxation, slowing down

• Mental rest – switching off, quieting the noise

• Emotional rest – being honest, not constantly “holding it together”

• Social rest – stepping back from draining interactions

• Sensory rest – reducing overstimulation (phones, noise, screens)

• Creative rest – absorbing inspiration rather than producing

• Spiritual rest – feeling connected, grounded, purposeful

If you’re constantly tired, it might not be because you’re doing too little…

It might be because you’re not getting the right kind of rest.

How to Start Living More Cyclically (Without Turning Your Life Upside Down)

You don’t need to move to a forest or abandon your responsibilities (tempting as that sounds).

But you can start working with your energy instead of against it.

🌿 Notice your patterns

When do you feel most productive? When do you dip?

🌿 Stop forcing consistency

You don’t need to operate at 100% every day.

🌿 Plan for slower days

Build in space for rest, not just productivity.

🌿 Let seasons guide you

Winter = slower, reflectiveSpring = fresh startsSummer = actionAutumn = reset

🌿 Give yourself permission to pause

Rest isn’t failure — it’s part of the cycle.

Maybe You’re Not Behind

We’re so used to measuring progress in straight lines.

More. Faster. Better.

But real life doesn’t work like that.

Sometimes you’re building.Sometimes you’re resting.Sometimes you’re just… being.

And all of it counts.

Final Thought

Maybe you’re not lazy.Maybe you’re not unmotivated.Maybe you’re not failing.

Maybe you’re just trying to live cyclically…

In a world that expects you to be linear.

🎧 Listen to the Podcast Episode

If this resonated with you, you can listen to the full episode of It’s A Small World! where we explore this in more depth.

💬 Call to Action (Wix style)

Have you noticed your own cycles? Are there times you feel more energised than others?

I’d love to hear your thoughts — drop a comment or message me 💚