SUPPORT SEASONS IN BUSINESS + BUY SARAH A COFFEE

〰️

SUPPORT SEASONS IN BUSINESS + BUY SARAH A COFFEE 〰️

The end of the year often feels like a whirlwind. December is usually a blur of final orders and new year bookings, with festive plans filling the gaps. Then, all too quickly, we leap into New Year goals and fresh projects. It can be hard to carve out space for stillness, even though rest is a crucial part of any creative cycle.

In this episode, I explore the idea of winter as a season for reflection and replenishment. I share prompts and questions to help you notice what has supported you, the challenges you’ve faced, and what you might want to carry forward — all while embracing the slow, restorative rhythm of this season.

Key takeaways from this episode

Nature takes time to rest and save energy for what comes next — and we can do the same
How to give yourself permission to pause and step out of the festive hustle
Why December 31st isn’t a cut-off — reflection can happen anytime, at your own pace
Reflection prompts to help you see what’s been meaningful, challenging, or surprising
Considering what to release and what to carry forward into the new year

Links and resources mentioned in this episode

Download your Winter Planning Guide — for more reflection prompts, seasonal inspiration, and gentle ideas to tend to your energy as the year draws to a close

Welcome to Seasons in Business, a podcast for creative business owners who want to build something thoughtful and sustainable, at a pace that actually feels good. I'm your host, designer and printmaker Sarah Phelps, and if, like me, you're craving a slower, more spacious way to grow, with a little gentle encouragement along the way, you're in the right place. So turn off your notifications, grab a cup of tea or coffee, and get cosy.
Welcome back to Seasons in Business. I'm so glad you're here for this final episode of 2025. If you're listening as this episode goes live on Christmas Eve, I hope you're curled up feeling cosy, maybe with a cup of cocoa or a mulled wine, and enjoying a quiet moment to yourself.
We've just passed Yule, the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year here in the Northern Hemisphere. The days are dark and cold, but the light is now slowly returning, even if it doesn't quite feel like it yet.
Nature is resting, conserving energy for what comes next. And the good news is we get to do the same.
Yes, winter is a season of stillness — a chance to pause, catch our breath and feel like ourselves again. It's a time of year when we can pull back a little and rest without feeling guilty.
But as lovely as this sounds, we all know this time of year often feels anything but still and restful. December is usually one long push to get orders out of the door and clients booked in for January, and by the time we wrap up work for the holidays, many of us are ready to collapse into the nearest comfy chair.
Christmas itself isn't always a season of rest either. For many of us, it comes with family commitments, gatherings, travel and hosting. Yes, it's joyful, but it's also very full.
And winter keeps moving. We go from that pre-Christmas buzz straight into the holiday rush, and then — after a breath or two — we're expected to leap into a brand new year. Fresh goals, renewed focus, big plans… all while we're still catching up with ourselves.
So this episode is here to shift the mood a little. Because before we decide where we're going, it helps to pause and notice where we've been. To take a moment to rest, reflect, and ease into what comes next at our own pace.
With that in mind, I'll be sharing some gentle reflection prompts in a moment — so if you'd like to jot anything down, you might want to pause here and grab a pen and paper.
Now, this is usually the time when we look back at the year just gone. But instead of framing it around success or failure, take a moment to notice what you might have been too busy to see — gently and without judgment.
And remember, the calendar year runs from January to December, but that doesn't mean your business year does the same. December 31st isn't a deadline where everything suddenly stops. It can be just another day. The seasons keep moving and reflection can happen any time.
If it helps, here are a few gentle prompts you can reflect on the whole year, the last few months, or the season you're in. And you absolutely don't need to answer all of them!
So first, what has been your proudest moment?
Consider the things that have launched, grown, or reached a natural end. What achievements, large or small, were you proud of, even if you haven't said it out loud.
Next, what felt challenging?
What didn't progress as you hoped, and do you know why? This isn't about judgment, just noticing what felt heavy or difficult.
Have there been any surprises?
Were there any moments of unexpected joy or difficulty, and how did you respond?
What rhythms did you notice in your energy, creativity, work and rest?
Were there any points when you really found your flow or felt you needed to step back?
What has supported you?
Think about the actions, habits, or people that give you steadiness, inspiration or comfort as the season shifted.
And finally, what are you grateful for in this season?
As the year draws to a close, consider the little wins, the kind gestures, supportive people, or moments of calm.
Alongside reflection, we can also begin to think about what we want to carry forward and what we can gently let go without rushing and without pressure.
Here are two simple questions to guide you:
Firstly, what are you ready to release?
Maybe it's a project you've been forcing, an offering that needs to be retired, or a habit you're just tired of carrying. What are you allowing yourself to let go of?
And also, what would you like to carry forward?
Not in a hustley “new year, new you” way, but the things that feel good when you imagine giving them a little more attention, nurturing them gently as you move forward.
Give yourself time and space to think through these prompts and see how you feel. And whatever comes up, remember, you don't have to do it all at once. You don't have to make big decisions right now. Just allowing yourself to step out of the festive hustle and noise for a little rest, reflection and gentle curiosity about what comes next is enough.
And I'll leave you with this quote from Edith Sitwell:
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”
So wherever you are — surrounded by family, tucked into a quiet corner, or walking off the mince pies — I hope this episode gives you permission to slow down. Because you've done more than enough this year.
If you want to dive a little deeper into this seasonal reflection, you might enjoy my Winter Planning Guide, which has more prompts, seasonal inspiration, and gentle ideas for tending to your energy as the year draws to a close. I'll share a link in the show notes.
And if you enjoyed spending this little bit of time together, I'd love it if you hit follow so you never miss an episode, maybe share it with a friend, or leave a quick rating or review. It really helps other people find the show and it means a lot, especially at this early stage.
Thanks so much for listening today and I'll see you in the new year.

Listen and subscribe

You can listen to Seasons in Business wherever you get your podcasts. Make sure you hit follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed

If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5* rating and review — it really helps more small business owners discover it.

Join the conversation

I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below or reach out on Instagram or Threads.
You can also join my email community, where I share gentle seasonal business insights.

Get in touch

Have suggestions for topics or guests? Email me at podcast@sarahandmaude.com.

Recent episodes

Featured