It’s oh so quiet — Moving gently through the slow seasons we don’t choose

Welcome back to Seasons in Business with me, designer and printmaker Sarah Phelps.

Sometimes, work just… slows down. Enquiries stop coming in, sales quiet, and the studio feels a little too still. In this solo episode, I’m talking about the slow seasons we don’t choose — the ones completely out of our control — and sharing gentle, practical ways to navigate them without panic or guilt.

You’ll hear strategies for staying connected to your creativity, taking small intentional steps, and reaching out for support — all while being kind to yourself through those quieter times.

Episode themes:

• The familiar, manageable lull that comes with your business’s natural rhythm
• The unexpected slowdown when you’re not sure why things aren’t picking up
• The “money’s tight” moments and what to do to keep your business afloat

Episode highlights:

• 00:53 The three kinds of “quiet and slow” I recognise in my business.
• 02:36 Remembering you’re not alone — and you’re not a failure.
• 04.47 How quieter times can be a gift.
• 05:18 Small, intentional steps to gently move forward.
• 08:06 Taking a deeper look when something isn’t quite working.
• 10:56 What to do when money is tight — it’s okay to shift gears.
• 12:53 Why reaching out can open the door to real support and connection.
• 14:19 A gentle reminder that slow seasons pass — and they don’t define your worth.

Resources:

Citizens Advice — for guidance on self-employed support, grants, and benefits (https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk)

Samaritans UK — call 116 123 any time, day or night (https://www.samaritans.org)

Shout Text Support — text “Shout” to 85258 for 24/7 confidential support (https://giveusashout.org)

Thanks for listening. If today’s episode got you thinking, I’d love to hear from you — come and say hello over on Instagram or Threads (@sarahandmaude).

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For more details about the podcast, visit the website sarahandmaude.com/seasons-in-business.

And if you have suggestions for topics or guests, please email me at [e-mail]