We all do it — sign up for courses, workshops, or resources that promise to solve a problem or spark inspiration… and then never actually do the work. In this episode, I’m exploring why that happens, the psychology behind it, and giving some gentle permission to ease the guilt.

Key takeaways

• Why we sign up for courses, workshops, webinars, and resources we never finish
• How “future-self thinking” and “illusory progress” can cause problems
• Why doing the work can feel uncomfortable or scary — and why we avoid it
• Reframing guilt: it’s okay not to start or finish everything
• Practical ways to notice patterns and focus on what matters

Thanks for listening today, I hope you enjoyed this episode! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so come and say hello on Instagram or Threads (@sarahandmaude).

Remember to subscribe so you never miss future episodes. And if you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5* rating and review.

Connect with Sarah

Website sarahandmaude.com

Instagram @sarahandmaude

Threads @sarahandmaude

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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).

Remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you’re enjoying the show, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify really helps more people discover it.

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 podcast@sarahandmaude.com

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

In this solo episode, I’m talking about what it really means to run a slow, gentle business — one that moves with the seasons, honours your energy, and creates space for creativity to flourish.

We’ll explore what slow business actually looks like day to day, how the seasons can shape our rhythm and focus, and why balancing structure and flexibility has been key for me. So if you’ve ever felt tired of the hustle and wondered if there’s another way, this episode might just give you the permission you’ve been looking for to slow down and work at your own pace.

Episode themes:

• What it really means to run a slow business (and what it isn’t).
• Why slowing down doesn’t mean giving up on growth.
• How our energy naturally rises and falls with the seasons.
• Simple ways to start aligning your work with your own creative rhythm.
• Why slowing down can help you reconnect with joy and creativity.

Episode highlights:

• 00:36 Does your business really work for you right now?
• 02:22 Exploring what “slow business” actually means, and how it can give your creativity room to breathe.
• 04:07 Recognising how seasonal cycles shape our lives, energy, and work.
• 08:28 How I’ve used a seasonal approach to keep working gently through perimenopause.
• 11:11 It is possible to run a business and take care of yourself, in a way that feels natural and nourishing.

Resources:

Download my Seasonal Planning Guides at www.sarahandmaude.com/seasonal-planning — a simple way to reflect, set intentions, and move with your natural energy.

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).

Remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you’re enjoying the show, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify really helps more people discover it.

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 podcast@sarahandmaude.com

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

In this solo episode I share three of my favourite mantras — simple phrases that have helped me stay grounded, keep perspective, and keep moving through the ups and downs of running a creative business. I talk honestly about the challenges of comparison, perfectionism, and the isolation that can come with working alone, and how these little reminders can help steady our thoughts and ease self-doubt.

Episode themes:

• How simple mantras can help steady your thoughts and ease self-doubt.
• Recognising and managing comparison and perfectionism in a creative business.
• The value of community and support for sustaining wellbeing and creativity.
• Reflection and action: celebrating wins, sharing work, and nurturing your support network.
• Noticing the phrases that resonate with you and using them to guide your work.

Episode highlights:

• 00:38 Why small phrases can have a big impact
• 02:19 Tackling comparison: “Comparison is the thief of joy”
• 05:30 Moving past perfectionism: “Done is better than perfect”
• 09:20 Leaning on your support network: “It takes a village”
• 13:01 Finding your own grounding words

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).

Remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you’re enjoying the show, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify really helps more people discover it.

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 podcast@sarahandmaude.com

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

In this solo episode, I’m sharing the story of how my love for letterpress printing grew from a hobby into a stationery business — and what happens when your passion becomes your full-time work. It can be thrilling, but it also brings challenges you might not expect. I’ll talk about the shifts I noticed in my own creative life, and share a few gentle reminders that help me stay connected to joy and inspiration along the way.

Episode themes:

• How a hobby can slowly grow into a business.
• Navigating the new pressures that come with doing what you love.
• Practical tips for prioritising joy, rest, and creativity.
• Balancing the mindset of an artist with the mindset of a CEO.

Episode highlights:

• 01:23 My journey from designer to business owner
• 03:53 From creating for passion to creating for profit
• 04:30 Expectation vs reality
• 05:50 When creativity starts to feel like a commodity
• 07:47 Five tips to help stay connected to your creativity

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.

Remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you’re enjoying the show, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify really helps more people discover it.

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 podcast@sarahandmaude.com

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

Thanks for joining me for this very first episode, where I introduce myself and the podcast, share a little behind the scenes of how it came to be, and talk about why now felt like the right time to start.

Episode themes:

• My journey from design student to running a full-time letterpress stationery studio.

• Why now felt like the right time to start Seasons in Business.

• Reflections on running a creative business at a gentler pace.

• Why growth doesn’t mean having it all figured out.

• What you can expect from upcoming episodes.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:36 Hello and welcome

• 01:07 The story so far

• 03:26 Why a podcast and why now?

• 04:41 What to expect

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.

Remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you’re enjoying the show, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify really helps more people discover it.

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 podcast@sarahandmaude.com

Introducing Seasons in Business — a podcast for creative business owners who want to build something thoughtful and sustainable, at a pace that actually feels good.

This podcast is for anyone who wants to grow their creative business with a little less chaos — and a lot more intention. We’ll explore everything from building a brand and navigating burnout to content creation and finding community, all rooted in a seasonal rhythm that leaves more room to breathe.

Enjoy this sneak peek of the stories, ideas, and inspiration we’ll explore in full episodes.

New episodes land every other Wednesday and are just the right length for a morning walk or a cosy tea break. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the first full episode.

Head over to Instagram or Threads and share your questions, ideas, or just say hello — I’d love to hear from you.

For more about the podcast and future episodes, visit my podcast page.