18. Why Wellness Culture Isn’t Working for You (And What Seasonal Living Does Instead) with Jesie Steffes

In today’s episode of The High Functioning Hot Mess, I’m joined by our very first returning guest, Jesie Steffes — and this conversation is every bit as nourishing, thoughtful, and grounding as you’d expect.Jesie first joined me back in episode 3, and after hearing how deeply that conversation resonated with so many of you, I knew we had to bring her back. This time, we’re diving even deeper into what it means to be a highly sensitive person in a world that often rewards rigidity, hustle, and pushing through.We talk about why traditional wellness advice can backfire for highly sensitive people, the difference between routine and ritual, and how language alone can shift the way our nervous systems respond to habits, healing, and self-care. We also explore Jesie’s beautiful work through Seasonal Self and the power of living in rhythm with both the outer seasons and our own inner ones.This episode is a gentle invitation to stop trying to become less sensitive and start building a life that actually supports the way you were made.In this episode, we talk about:Why so many HSPs grow up trying to “toughen up”How diet culture and rigid wellness routines can dysregulate sensitive nervous systemsThe difference between routine, ritual, rhythm, and disciplineWhy language matters so much in healing workHow to create supportive conditions instead of obsessing over outcomesThe role of intuition in nutrition, movement, and self-trustLiving seasonally and why it can be so grounding for highly sensitive peopleThe beauty of honoring inner seasons like grief, growth, rest, and emergenceSmall ways to begin practicing seasonal living right nowA few reminders from this conversation: You do not need to force yourself into systems that were never designed for your nervous system. You are not failing because rigid routines don’t work for you. There may be a softer, more sustainable, more aligned way — and it might actually work better.Connect with Jesie:Jesie Steffes is a therapist, writer, and the creator of Seasonal Self, a beautiful monthly virtual gathering designed to help people live more rhythmically and seasonally. You can connect with her on Instagram at @jesie.steffes.healing and find her weekly essays on Substack through Sated Soul.https://www.jesiesteffes.com/Jesie also shared upcoming Seasonal Self gatherings during this episode, including:April 12 — Values as lived orientations, with animal wisdom from the wolf.May 17 — Intuition, with animal wisdom TBDIf this episode resonated with you:Send it to a friend, share it to your stories, or tag us with your biggest takeaway. And if you’ve been curious about living more seasonally, this is your sign to start paying attention to the rhythms happening both around you and within you.Connect with Elizabeth: 💻 https://www.elizabethalicellc.com/ 📸 @elizabethalicerd on Instagram 💌 Subscribe to Vitality Vignette for cozy wellness musingsNow on TikTok! The High Functioning Hot Mess