Ep 20 | Looking back and moving forward: A gentle summer reflection

As we reach the height of summer, it can be surprisingly easy to keep moving without stopping to notice where we are. The days are longer, our routines shift, and before we know it, the season can pass in a blur of work, holidays, plans, and trying to fit everything in.

In this episode, I'm sharing some gentle prompts to help you pause, reflect on the last few months, and think intentionally about the season ahead.

Together, we explore reflection without judgement, what it means to carry things forward or let them go, and why your version of summer doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.

If summer already feels like it’s moving quickly, I hope this episode offers a chance to slow down for a moment and reconnect with what matters most to you.

Links and resources mentioned in this episode

• Download your Summer Planning Guide — for extra reflection prompts, seasonal inspiration, and gentle ideas to help you move through the rest of the season with more intention.

• Read the episode transcript

  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.

  Hi, and welcome back to Seasons in Business. This is actually going to be the final episode of this first season, because I'm taking a bit of a summer break — which basically means I'll be doing a lot of decorating and gardening. But I'll be back soon, and I'll hopefully have the first guest episodes ready to share. Before I head off though, I did want to leave you with something that felt fitting for this point in the year.

  Summer is often a busy season — a season of doing, launching, showing up, and saying yes. The days stretch out and our calendars fill up. There are holidays, family commitments, weddings, days out, school holidays, garden projects, evenings spent making the most of the sunshine. And we have to balance all of that with trying to run a business too. It can be wonderful, but it can also feel really full. And before we know it, it's September and we're looking back and wondering where summer went.

  As I record this, we've just passed Litha, the Summer solstice, and the longest day of the year here in the Northern Hemisphere. We've arrived at the height of summer, and whether the last few months have felt busy, brilliant, messy, productive, challenging (or maybe all of those things together), this is a lovely moment to pause. To look back at the last few months, to check in with where you are now, and to think about what you want your summer to look like.

  Because summer doesn't look the same for everyone, and it often looks quite different from the rest of the year.

  Maybe business tends to quieten down over the summer for you, or maybe it's your busiest season. Maybe you'll be working as usual, maybe you'll be juggling work and school holidays, or maybe you'll be taking some much needed guilt-free time off. Whatever summer looks like for you, it's really just about noticing so it doesn't just slip past without you realising.

  How are you feeling? What's been going well? And what might need a little attention?

  I'll be sharing some reflection prompts in a moment, so if you'd like to write your thoughts down, you might want to pause here to grab a pen and paper and pop the kettle on.

  Taking time to reflect can help you really notice the things you might have been too busy to see in the day to day. You might find it helpful to reflect on the year so far, but you could also keep it smaller and simpler and just focus on the last season — spring — or even just the past few weeks.

  So here are a few gentle prompts, and you don't need to answer all of them. Just see what feels useful.

  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?

  What has 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.

  What has been taking up most of your attention this season?

  Was it clients, ideas, admin, life stuff — just noticing where your energy has actually gone.

  Have there been any surprises?

  Were there any unexpected opportunities, or moments of joy or difficulty that changed your direction or thinking? How did you respond?

  What rhythms have you noticed in your energy and creativity?

  Were there any points when you really found your flow, or maybe felt you needed to step back?

  What has supported you through this season?

  Think about the people, habits, or simple routines that have helped you stay grounded.

  And finally, what are you grateful for this season?

  Consider the little wins, quiet moments, connections, kind gestures — anything that feels meaningful

  Now, once you've had a chance to reflect, you might naturally start to think about what comes next. What you want to carry forward, and what might feel easier to let go of.

  So here are three simple questions to sit with:

  What are you ready to release?

  Maybe it’s an unfinished project that no longer feels aligned, an old habit or routine you’d like to leave behind, or limiting thoughts that are holding you back. What are you allowing yourself to let go?

  What would you like to carry forward?

  This could be anything that’s felt supportive — ways of working, boundaries you’ve held, support systems you’ve leaned on, or even shifts in perspective that have helped things feel more steady or aligned. What’s worth continuing into summer?

  What does a meaningful summer look like to you?

  And not just in terms of outcomes, but in how it feels to move through it. What would leave you feeling like it was a summer that felt good to be in, rather than one you just got through?

  Give yourself time and space to think through the prompts and notice what comes up for you.

  Bear in mind that reflection can sometimes stir up emotions, especially if the last few months haven't gone quite as planned. And if that happens, it's okay. This isn't about doing anything perfectly, it’s simply about noticing where you are right now.

  If you'd like to explore this a bit more over the summer, I've actually put together a Summer Planning Guide, with more reflection and planning prompts and ideas to help you move through the season with more intention. I'll leave a link in the show notes.

  Now, before I head off for my summer break, I just want to take a moment to say thank you so much for being here.

  When I had the idea to create this podcast a year ago. I honestly was not sure I could actually make it happen, and I definitely wasn't expecting anyone to listen. But you have listened, and it feels like the thoughts I'm sharing here are resonating with you in the way I'd hoped they might.

  So if this podcast helps even one person feel a little less alone or a bit more confident in the way they're building their business, then that's more than enough for me. Because as I've said right from the start, this really is for you. So thank you.

  And finally, if you have been here a while and you're enjoying these episodes, you can support the show by hitting follow, sharing a favorite episode on socials, or leaving a five star rating or review. It all really helps more people find the podcast.

  And if you'd like to say hello, you can find me over on Instagram at @seasonsinbusiness or email me at podcast@sarahandmaude.com. I really love hearing from you.

  So wherever you are, I hope you can find a little time this summer for rest, reflection, and gentle curiosity about what comes next.

  Thanks so much for listening. Have a wonderful summer and I'll see you next time.

HOW YOU CAN Support the podcast

Seasons in Business is created with care, and shared freely. If you've found these conversations helpful, you can support the show for the price of a coffee.

Your support helps cover hosting costs and gives me time to keep creating thoughtful, gentle content for creative business owners.

Thanks so much for listening.

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, or share your thoughts through my podcast feedback form.

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

You can also join my email community, where I share gentle seasonal business insights.

Recent episodes