Alex Winans Alex Winans

Blooms and Boundaries: Rebuilding After a Busy Season🌸

In the whirlwind of planting season, it’s easy to lose yourself in the to-do lists, long days, and endless weeds. In this post, I’m reflecting on the importance of boundaries—both in the garden and in life—and how I’m learning to nurture not just my flowers, but myself, too. This is a behind-the-scenes look at what’s blooming at Bede’s Blooms, and the intentional choices I’m making to protect peace and purpose this season.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Phew. May was a whirlwind.

It was filled with highs, lows, and everything in between — a month of major growth, both for the flowers and for me personally. The shift from winter into spring always hits like a freight train, but this year it came faster and harder than ever before.

One moment, I felt on top of it all — my seed trays were organized, seedlings thriving, my beds prepped, and I was ready for the season. And then, like clockwork, the floodgates opened. Suddenly, I was buried under a wave of tasks, Mother’s Day prep, crop failures, unexpected detours, and endless to-do lists. I blinked, and I went from “on track” to “completely behind” in what felt like a matter of minutes.

Mother’s Day Mayhem

The start of Mother’s Day weekend didn’t go as planned. Between a health scare, disappointing turnout, and the last-minute loss of crops, things felt heavy. But we pivoted — because that’s what flower farmers do — and we ended the weekend strong.

Still, the grueling late nights, early mornings, and long days added up. And when the dust settled, the return didn’t quite match the effort. That was a hard truth to sit with. One of the biggest lessons I learned? We don’t need to leave home to sell our flowers. Local is where the magic happens — and if the cost is my health, it’s simply not worth it.

Wedding Whirlwind

Just two days after Mother’s Day, I hit the road for a wedding in Ludington. No rest. No pause. Normally, florists take at least a day or two off after a big event — I didn’t have that luxury.

But here’s the thing: the wedding was beautiful. It was my best friend’s big day, and I had the honor of designing her flowers and standing beside her as matron of honor. It was a juggle, for sure. And though the timing was brutal, I would do it again in a heartbeat. From the first flower pickup with her mom (my trusty sidekick for the day) to assembling each bouquet, I cried happy tears more times than I can count. It was a labor of love I’ll treasure forever.

Photo: Nicole Jenrow - Details and Daydreams Photography (she’s amazing!)

Flowers: Bede’s Blooms + Co.

When the Body Says Stop

All of this — the constant go, go, go — came at a cost. My health.

The physical toll of early mornings and late nights, the emotional load of balancing work, family, and creative output, the guilt of missing time with my toddler… it hit me hard. Burnout crept in fast, and I knew I had to make a change. I couldn’t ignore what my body was telling me any longer.

The Signs Were Clear

Even now, weeks later, I’m still recovering. I’m still processing everything that May threw at me — while trying to stay on top of my responsibilities, spend quality time with my son, and somehow get all the summer annuals planted (which I feel behind on). Usually, I’m in the garden the weekend after Mother’s Day planting away. This year, I was still wedding-recovering.

But then came the rainy days — a full week of them. And honestly? It felt like a divine gift. I was forced to slow down. I had no choice but to rest. And I desperately needed it.

🌿 Why Self-Care and Boundaries Matter

In creative entrepreneurship and farming, boundaries and self-care aren’t luxuries. They’re lifelines. Here’s what I’m learning:

🌱 1. Your business depends on your well-being.
You’re the engine behind everything — from growing to designing to delivering. When you burn out, the whole operation slows. Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s necessary.

🧠 2. Creativity needs breathing room.
To be inspired, you have to make space. Boundaries protect your ability to think clearly, create joyfully, and stay connected to your purpose.

⏳ 3. Without boundaries, there’s no off switch.
This work is deeply personal, and the line between home and business is blurry. Boundaries — like time off, screen-free evenings, or simply saying no — keep you from running yourself into the ground.

💪 4. The work is intense.
Farming is physically exhausting. Running a business is emotionally draining. Doing both? It demands rest, recovery, and resilience.

💸 5. Boundaries guard against overcommitment.
It’s easy to say yes to everything when you’re passionate. But that leads to depletion. I’m learning to say yes more selectively.

❤️ 6. You model what sustainable success looks like.
When you care for yourself, you show your community — and your family — that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of health, joy, or connection.

Things I Like to Do to Shift, Rest, and Recharge After Burnout

When I hit a point of burnout, I’ve learned not to push through, but to pause—and intentionally create space to heal. Here are a few things that help me shift, rest, and recharge:

1. Nourishment + Hydration
I consciously focus on my water intake and nutrition. I up my electrolytes, sip herbal teas throughout the day, and take time to actually sit and enjoy my morning mushroom coffee (or matcha) instead of rushing through it.

This also means getting back on track with my supplements—especially when life gets busy (which is exactly when I need them most). I tend to forget them in the chaos, but they’re part of what keeps me steady. My go-to lineup includes:

  • Electrolytes - Redmond Re-lyte is our go-to (plain water just doesn’t cut it—throw in some Himalayan salt or dive into the hydration rabbit hole!)

  • Beef organs or beef liver supplements - Taking beef liver regularly has truly been a game changer for me—no exaggeration. Since adding it to my routine, I’ve had noticeably more energy, no postpartum hair loss, and just feel better overall. It’s made such a difference! Go-to’s Paleo Valley Organ Complex, Perfect Supplements Desicated Beef liver, Ancestral Supplements Beef Organs and or Ancestral Supplements Beef Liver

  • Adrenal support, like Just Ingredients Adrenal Complex or Jigsaw’s Adrenal Cocktail

  • Magnesium (we like MegaFood) and we also use Earthley Wellnesses Good Night Lotion

  • L-Methyl Folate (I use this one - it helps w/ my ADD)

  • Vitamin D with K2 ) (I use Perfect supplements drops or MegaFood)

  • Probiotics - I try to get mine through food whenever possible. My go-to sources are kombucha and sauerkraut, but I’ll also supplement when needed to help support gut health. If supplementing, entegro healths flourish probiotic,  Dr.Ohhira’s , or seed.

I also make a conscious effort to increase my daily protein intake. One of my favorite ways to do this is by adding Perfect Supplements Hydrolyzed Collagen to milk or my coffee—it tastes like chocolate milk, and even the kids love it! I aim to include about 30 grams of protein in each meal—and even before I have my coffee. I also focus on high-protein recipes, drink bone broth hot chocolate (FOND is my go-to bone broth if I don’t have time to make it myself), and supplement with clean, high-quality protein powders. Some of my favorites are Equip Protein, FlavCity’s All-In-One Protein Smoothie, and Paleo Valley’s Bone Broth Protein (chocolate is my fav!).

These aren't just checkboxes—they’re tools that support my energy, mood, and overall resilience. When I stay consistent, I feel the difference.

Wellness from the Inside Out

How I Support My Body Through Busy Seasons

Stillness Before the Bloom

Resting Isn’t Quitting—It’s Recharging

2. Extra Time With Jesus
That coffee or matcha moment becomes sacred when I pair it with quiet time with Jesus. I write out my thoughts, reflect, breathe deeply, and reconnect to peace and perspective. It grounds me.

3. Baths + Body Care
Baths are a love language to myself. I love Flewd bath soaks—they help my nervous system reset and feel like a hug for my body. I let myself fully unwind.

When I don’t have a flewd bath soak handy, a regulated used item in our house is Ancient Minerals Magnesium Flakes (PS: great for little ones to help them sleep!)

I also stay consistent with my chiropractic care—regular visits make such a difference. We go to Volz Family Chiropractic in Holt, and Dr. Volz and her team are truly amazing!

4. Gentle Movement
Exercise becomes a way to reconnect with my body, not punish it. Long walks (sometimes with my weighted vest - game changer!), light weight training, a spin session, or my favorite: Pilates. Even 15 minutes of movement or stretching shifts my energy. If I’m really depleted, I rest first—sometimes for days—before easing into intentional, slow movement.

5. Saying No
When I’m in a season of recovery, I intentionally reel back. I admit my limits. That often means saying no—to events, orders, obligations—so I can be home more, breathe deeper, and return to alignment with my priorities. It’s not always easy, but it’s necessary.

6. Tidy Spaces = Tidy Mind

One of the most grounding things I do when I’m coming out of burnout is slowly working through neglected corners of my home. I’ll throw on an audiobook or a podcast and start tackling the laundry pile that’s been haunting me, the cluttered workshop corner, or that cabinet I’ve been meaning to purge for weeks. It’s not about perfection—it’s about creating breathing room. Deep cleaning, organizing, and simplifying my space gives me a sense of control and calm. You feel so much better once it’s done.

7. Deep Rest + Stillness
Rest is medicine. I curl up with a book, let myself enjoy the stillness, and resist the urge to write out a new to-do list. I let the slow moments stretch out.

And finally—when I feel ready—I gradually get back into the soil. There’s something so healing in its presence. It reminds me why I love what I do, and that growth often starts in quiet, unseen places.

Bonus – 8. Resparking Your Creativity

Sometimes, the best thing I can do for my soul is to reconnect with beauty and creativity—without the pressure to produce. That might look like flipping through flower books, playing with color palettes, styling a few leftover blooms just for fun, or creating something with my hands that has nothing to do with business. Creativity doesn’t always have to be productive—it can simply be a way back to joy, curiosity, and play. That spark always leads me home.

A Few of My Favorite Books for When I Need That Garden Spark Again
When I’m feeling a little disconnected or burnt out, I often find that flipping through a good garden book helps reignite my inspiration and remind me why I love working with the land. Here are a few of my favorites I reach for again and again:

Creating Without Pressure

When I Need to Feel Inspired Again

—or—I head into the kitchen and let my creativity flow through food, experimenting with herbal botanicals and edible flowers. It’s a grounding, sensory way to reconnect—with flavor, color, and beauty in the everyday.

Here are some of my favorite books surrounding food:

🌸 Looking Forward

If you’re also feeling the weight of burnout or the guilt of needing to slow down — you’re not alone. Building something meaningful takes energy, and it’s okay to pause, pivot, or reset when needed.

I’m still in the process of recovering. But I’m looking forward to the quiet moments — planting summer annual successions, watching the garden grow, catching fireflies with my son in the evenings, enjoying family time, reading more books and simply breathing. The beauty of seasonal work is that it teaches us to honor the rhythms — of nature, of work, and of our own bodies.

Here’s to slower mornings, intentional choices, and letting ourselves rest when we need to.

With gratitude and floral magic,
Alex 🌸










Read More