Why Don’t I Feel Ready for This Season?

Every year around this time, the same questions start circling:

• Why don’t I feel ready for the season?

• Am I overthinking it?

• Do I have too much on my plate?

• Am I just distracted?

Short answer?

Probably a combination of all of the above.

Long answer?

It’s a little more layered than that, and far more human than we give ourselves credit for.

The Pressure to “Feel Ready”

Somewhere along the way, we absorbed the idea that readiness is a feeling, a moment where everything aligns, energy rises, and the soundtrack to Frozen starts playing in the background.

In reality? Readiness is rarely a feeling. It’s a decision. And it almost never arrives wrapped in motivation.

More often, it arrives wrapped in:

• mild panic

• a to-do list you abandoned three days ago

• the belief you should be further along

• a touch of self-judgement for good measure

So if you’re waiting to feel ready… you may be waiting a while.

When Overthinking Takes the Wheel

Overthinking is like mental popcorn - once it starts, it doesn’t stop.

You think about the plan.

Then you think about thinking about the plan.

Then you doubt the plan.

Then you lose the plan.

It’s exhausting, and it creates the illusion that you’re “not ready,” when actually, you’re just overstimulated.

Sometimes you’re not unprepared, you’re overwhelmed. And overwhelmed brains do what overwhelmed brains do: stall.

When You Have Too Much to Do

Let’s be honest, the mental load this time of year is real.

Planning.

Organising.

Coordinating.

Scheduling.

Responding.

Remembering everything for everyone.

Women, especially, tend to carry the invisible admin of life, and then judge themselves for not feeling carefree and spontaneous on top of it.

You’re not behind. You’re human.

Sometimes the reason you don’t feel ready… is because you’re doing too much.

When Distraction Isn’t Laziness - It’s Self-Protection

The part that most people miss: when your brain is stretched, tired, or anxious… it will actively distract you.

Distraction isn’t failure, it’s a nervous system trying to conserve energy.

So no, you’re not broken. You’re just juggling more than you realise.

So What Do You Do?

You stop waiting to feel ready. And instead, you start getting present.

Try this:

1. Name what’s actually going on.

Not the judgement - the truth.

“I’m overwhelmed.”

“I’m anxious.”

“I’m stretched thin.”

“I’m excited but tired.”

Naming it brings clarity.

2. Strip it back to the next right step.

Not the big plan.

Not the whole season.

Just the next thing.

3. Remind yourself: readiness isn’t a mood, it’s a muscle.

And you strengthen it by showing up, imperfectly.

Closing Reflection

If you don’t feel ready right now, you’re not alone.

You’re not failing. You’re not behind. You’re simply navigating life with a full heart and a full mind.

Sometimes readiness isn’t a feeling you wait for - it’s something you grow into.

And I honestly believe you’re more ready than you think.