Seasons in Business

I'm back behind the microphone after a summer break, and feeling ready for a catch-up! So I'm looking back at the last few months, sharing a little of what I've been up to, and celebrating the first birthday of Seasons in Business.

September can be a funny old month, with that familiar back-to-school feeling arriving just as Christmas starts creeping closer. With Mabon, the autumn equinox, just behind us, I'm sharing three reflection questions to help you check in with your energy, think about what matters most, and find a pace that works for you as we head into autumn.

Mentioned in this episode:

Download your free Autumn Planning Guide: https://www.sarahandmaude.com/seasonal-planning

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Stay in touch:

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Find me on Instagram @seasonsinbusiness or email [email protected].

Join my monthly Notes from the Studio newsletter for seasonal thoughts on creativity, business and life behind the scenes:

https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life

Enjoying the show? Following, leaving a rating or review, or sharing an episode with a friend all help more people discover it.

This episode was written, recorded and produced by Sarah Phelps.

In this episode, I'm taking a pause at midsummer to share some gentle prompts for reflection.

As we move into the second half of the year, this is an invitation to look back on the last few months, check in with where you are right now, and think about what you want your summer to look like.

Key takeaways:

• Why the summer solstice can be a helpful time to pause and reflect
• Gentle prompts for looking back on the last few months without judgement
• What you might be ready to let go of — and what feels worth carrying forward

Mentioned in this episode:

Download your Summer Planning Guide — For more reflection prompts and gentle ideas to help you move through the summer season with intention. https://www.sarahandmaude.com/seasonal-planning

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Stay in touch:

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Find me on Instagram @seasonsinbusiness or email [email protected].

Join my monthly Notes from the Studio newsletter for seasonal thoughts on creativity, business and life behind the scenes:

https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life

Enjoying the show? Following, leaving a rating or review, or sharing an episode with a friend all help more people discover it.

This episode was written, recorded and produced by Sarah Phelps.

In this episode, I'm exploring the idea of growth in business — and questioning whether getting bigger is always the goal.

From defining success on your own terms, to staying small by choice, this is a gentle reflection on growth, comparison, and building a business that supports the life you actually want to live.

Key takeaways:

• Why success and growth are closely connected, but not the same thing
• How to define growth in a way that actually supports your life and work
• Why staying small can be a strength, not a limitation

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Stay in touch:

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Find me on Instagram @seasonsinbusiness or email [email protected].

Join my monthly Notes from the Studio newsletter for seasonal thoughts on creativity, business and life behind the scenes:

https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life

Enjoying the show? Following, leaving a rating or review, or sharing an episode with a friend all help more people discover it.

This episode was written, recorded and produced by Sarah Phelps.

In this episode, I’m reflecting on social media fatigue, online overwhelm, and why I’ve started rethinking my relationship with the constant connection we find at our fingertips.

From analogue nostalgia and creative pressure, to evergreen content and real-life community, this is an honest conversation about trying to build a slower, more sustainable way of living and working online.

Key takeaways:

• Why social media can start to feel more performative than creative
• Small changes I’m making to create healthier boundaries around technology and social media
• Why I’m focusing more on evergreen content, SEO, Pinterest, and real-life connection

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Stay in touch:

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Find me on Instagram @seasonsinbusiness or email [email protected].

Join my monthly Notes from the Studio newsletter for seasonal thoughts on creativity, business and life behind the scenes:

https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life

Enjoying the show? Following, leaving a rating or review, or sharing an episode with a friend all help more people discover it.

This episode was written, recorded and produced by Sarah Phelps.

In this episode, I'm getting vulnerable about the ideas I've been holding back on — and how fear has been quietly getting in the way.

If you've been hesitating on something you really want to do, this episode is a gentle reminder that you don't need all the answers before you begin.

Key takeaways:

• How to recognise when fear is disguising itself as something else
• The shift from asking "am I ready?" to "can I just try?"
• Making space to work on ideas without the pressure of having it all figured out

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Stay in touch:

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Find me on Instagram @seasonsinbusiness or email [email protected].

Join my monthly Notes from the Studio newsletter for seasonal thoughts on creativity, business and life behind the scenes:

https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life

Enjoying the show? Following, leaving a rating or review, or sharing an episode with a friend all help more people discover it.

This episode was written, recorded and produced by Sarah Phelps.

In this episode, I’m exploring what’s really going on when we avoid the things we know we need to do. From small admin tasks to bigger, more meaningful projects, the resistance to begin can be strong. So we're taking a look at procrastination, what it might be trying to show us, and why it often appears when something feels important, unfamiliar, or a little bit overwhelming.

I share some of my own patterns and experiences, along with a few simple, supportive ways to approach starting — without pressure, perfection, or the need to have everything figured out.

So if you’ve been circling around something, waiting for the right moment, or struggling to take that first step, this episode is a quiet invitation to begin today.

Key takeaways:

• Why procrastination isn’t always about discipline, or motivation
• How fear and overwhelm can create resistance to starting
• The “perfectionism loop” — and how it can delay both the start and the finish
• Gentle ways to begin, including time-blocking, “eat the frog”, and starting small
• A reminder that starting — not finishing — is often the most important step

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Stay in touch:

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Find me on Instagram @seasonsinbusiness or email [email protected].

Join my monthly Notes from the Studio newsletter for seasonal thoughts on creativity, business and life behind the scenes:

https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life

Enjoying the show? Following, leaving a rating or review, or sharing an episode with a friend all help more people discover it.

This episode was written, recorded and produced by Sarah Phelps.

In this episode, I’m exploring seasonal planning — a gentle way to plan your business by working with the natural rhythm of the year, rather than against it.

Building on episode four, where I shared what a slow, seasonal business can look like, this feels like the next step — turning that idea into something practical and supportive. I talk through how I combine the Wheel of the Year with a simple 90-day approach, creating a way of planning that feels structured, but still flexible.

This isn’t about rigid systems or doing more. It’s about choosing one meaningful focus, working with your energy, and allowing space for things to evolve as you go.

So if you’ve been craving a softer, more sustainable way to plan your work, this episode is a gentle place to begin.

Key takeaways:

• What seasonal planning is, and how it blends natural rhythms with 90-day planning
• A simple way to choose a seasonal focus without feeling overwhelmed
• Why working with the energy of each season can make planning feel more intuitive
• The importance of a mid-season check-in, and allowing flexibility as you go
• A gentle alternative to goal-setting, using themes or intentions instead

Mentioned in this episode:

Download my Seasonal Planning Guides — These gentle guides will help you reflect, set intentions, and plan your next 90 days in a way that feels calm and manageable. https://www.sarahandmaude.com/seasonal-planning

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like episode four "What running a slow, seasonal business really means — and why I love it".

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Stay in touch:

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Find me on Instagram @seasonsinbusiness or email [email protected].

Join my monthly Notes from the Studio newsletter for seasonal thoughts on creativity, business and life behind the scenes:

https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life

Enjoying the show? Following, leaving a rating or review, or sharing an episode with a friend all help more people discover it.

This episode was written, recorded and produced by Sarah Phelps.

In this episode, I’m exploring what happens when we ask everyone else what we should do — before asking ourselves. It’s something many of us do, often without even realising. We look for reassurance, perspective, or a sense of certainty… but somewhere along the way, our own voice can get a little lost.

This isn’t about never asking for help — it’s about gently shifting the order. Letting your perspective come first, and then inviting others in.

So if you’ve been feeling unsure, overwhelmed by opinions, or a little disconnected from your own decision-making, this episode is a quiet invitation to come back to yourself.

Key takeaways:

• Why we naturally seek input from others — and when it becomes unhelpful
• How too many opinions can leave you with analysis paralysis
• The shift from asking for permission to trusting your own judgement
• Simple, gentle ways to anchor your own perspective before reaching out
• A reminder that no one knows your business quite like you do

Mentioned in this episode:

Powerful by Maisie Hill – https://uk.bookshop.org/a/17216/9781472978929

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Stay in touch:

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Find me on Instagram @seasonsinbusiness or email [email protected].

Join my monthly Notes from the Studio newsletter for seasonal thoughts on creativity, business and life behind the scenes:

https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life

Enjoying the show? Following, leaving a rating or review, or sharing an episode with a friend all help more people discover it.

This episode was written, recorded and produced by Sarah Phelps.

In this short intermission episode, I’m sharing a quick update as I prepare to move house and studio — and reflecting on how beautifully timed it feels as we approach the shift from winter into spring.

After recently talking about work/life balance and building a slow, gentle business that moves with the seasons, it felt important to follow my own advice and take a small step back.

I’ll be back soon with a deeper dive into seasonal planning, and explore how we can gently shape the next season in our businesses.

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Stay in touch:

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Find me on Instagram @seasonsinbusiness or email [email protected].

Join my monthly Notes from the Studio newsletter for seasonal thoughts on creativity, business and life behind the scenes:

https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life

Enjoying the show? Following, leaving a rating or review, or sharing an episode with a friend all help more people discover it.

This episode was written, recorded and produced by Sarah Phelps.

In this episode, I’m talking about work-life balance, and what to do when it suddenly shifts. I share practical, gentle strategies I use to stay steady when life or work demands more of my time and energy.

This isn’t about achieving a perfect balance (because I’m sure we can all agree that’s almost impossible). It’s about small, manageable ways to respond to tipping points. So if things are feeling unpredictable or overwhelming, this episode is a reminder that steadiness is possible — with a few intentional, practical tools.

Key takeaways:

• How noticing shifts early can help you respond thoughtfully rather than react in panic
• Simple prioritisation techniques to manage your tasks and energy
• Why flexibility and boundaries are essential when the day doesn’t go as planned
• The importance of communication, asking for help, and having backup plans
• Small ways to care for yourself and reflect regularly, so you can stay grounded

Mentioned in this episode:

Download your Priority Matrix — a simple tool to help you organise tasks and plan with calm intention https://www.sarahandmaude.com/s/priority-matrix-download.pdf

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Stay in touch:

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Find me on Instagram @seasonsinbusiness or email [email protected].

Join my monthly Notes from the Studio newsletter for seasonal thoughts on creativity, business and life behind the scenes:

https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life

Enjoying the show? Following, leaving a rating or review, or sharing an episode with a friend all help more people discover it.

This episode was written, recorded and produced by Sarah Phelps.