Episode 2: The Closet Full of Seasons

Learning to Recognize the Season You’re Actually In

What happens when the life you’re trying to live no longer fits the season you’re actually in?

Just like a closet full of clothes from different seasons, we can hold onto old routines, expectations, responsibilities—and even versions of ourselves—that simply don’t fit anymore. For family caregivers, recognizing that life has changed can be especially difficult.

In Week 2 of Finding Joy in the Journey, Carole Leathem explores what it means to recognize your current caregiving season, release expectations that no longer fit, and give yourself permission to need something different now.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us:

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”

Caregiving has seasons too. Some require more of your time and energy. Some bring grief and uncertainty. Others bring unexpected freedom, healing, growth and joy.

The problem comes when we keep trying to live according to the expectations of an old season.

Maybe you’re exhausted because you're trying to maintain the schedule you had before caregiving became more demanding. Maybe your relationships have changed. Maybe you've lost pieces of yourself along the way. Or perhaps you're entering a new season and aren't quite sure who you are without the responsibilities that once filled your days.

This conversation is about recognizing where you are now—without guilt—and asking God what He wants to do in this season.

We’ll talk about caregiver identity, changing expectations, letting go, caregiver burnout, faith during change, and finding joy in the life you’re living today.

Because sometimes the question isn't:

“How do I get my old life back?”

Maybe the better question is:

“God, what are You inviting me into now?”

Your season may have changed, but your story isn't over.

Different seasons require different things—and that's okay.

🎧 Episode 2 of Finding Joy in the Journey, an eight-week series from The Caretaker’s Journey Podcast with Carole Leathem.

The Caretaker’s Journey provides faith-based caregiver support, Christian encouragement, practical caregiving resources and hope for family caregivers navigating the unexpected seasons of life.

This week, ask yourself: What am I holding onto that belonged to another season?

Summary:

In this episode, Carole explores how recognizing and embracing the current season of life can lead to greater joy and peace. She shares practical tips on releasing what no longer fits and finding joy in the present moment.

Takeaways:

Joy lives in the present tense, not in the past or future.

Identify what no longer fits in your life and release it.

Adjust your expectations to match your current season.

Comparison can rob joy; focus on your unique season.

God is present in every season, offering grace and guidance.

Chapters:

00:00 Recognizing the season you're in

02:07 How old routines no longer fit

04:21 The importance of identifying your current season

10:14 Ecclesiastes on seasons of life

16:16 Releasing what no longer fits

22:39 Living joyfully in the present

28:04 A garden visualization for acceptance

32:14 Making room for what fits now

37:13 Carrying joy into your current season

Connect with Carole:

Website - https://www.thecaretakersjourney.com/

Email - carole@thecaretakersjourney.com

Social Media -

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carolesjourney/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/carolesjourney

Book - https://www.carolesjourney.com/book