This winter, I did something I don’t normally do. I stopped. I stepped away from the constant ‘doing’ in my business and gave myself space to reset, reflect, and find my focus again.

At first, it felt weird—almost uncomfortable. But as the weeks passed, I realised just how much I needed that pause. And, more importantly, I saw just how valuable it was for my creativity, my clarity, and my business as a whole.

Here’s what wintering in my business taught me:

Your brain needs a rest to be creative

We tend to think creativity comes from pushing through, brainstorming harder, or consuming more inspiration. But honestly? My best ideas never come when I’m forcing them. They come when I give my brain the space to wander.

By stepping back, I allowed myself to slow down, daydream, and let my thoughts meander. And that’s when the clarity and creativity started creeping back in. No forced ideas sessions. No pressure. Just giving myself the time to reset.

If you’ve been feeling stuck or uninspired, try stepping away for a bit. Let your brain breathe. Creativity thrives in space, not stress.

Uniqueness doesn’t come from comparison mode

The pause also helped me drop the ‘shoulds’. The constant stream of advice, trends, and comparison that comes with being online was pulling me away from what I actually wanted to do. So, I took myself off social media for a while.

And guess what? Nothing broke. My business didn’t crumble. But I did notice something interesting. I started thinking for myself again.

I stopped trying to fit into a mould or follow an industry trend. I stopped questioning whether my way of doing things was ‘right’. And that’s when my brand and my business started feeling more like me again.

When you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the possibilities of what you could do, and find yourself comparing yourself to what others are doing, try stepping back from external influences. Your uniqueness comes from you – not from watching what everyone else is doing.

You don’t have to be always on

Somewhere along the way, we’ve been conditioned to believe that if we’re not constantly working towards something, we’re falling behind. Hustle culture thrives on making us feel like we should always be doing more.

I’m calling BS on that.

Taking a break doesn’t mean you’re failing. It doesn’t mean you’re lazy. It means you’re working with your natural energy cycles, not against them. Just like nature has seasons, so does you and your business. And wintering – slowing down, resetting, refocusing – is just as important as the seasons of growth and action.

Are you feeling like you have to be ‘on’ all the time? I’m here to tell you: you don’t. The world won’t end if you take a step back. In fact, your business might just thank you for it.

Impartial support is vital

I’ve always had business pals who support me, but this year, I started something new. Monthly coaching sessions. And honestly? It’s been a game-changer.

Having a coach this year has given me something I didn’t even realise I needed: permission to do less. To slow down. To focus only on what truly matters. And those monthly check-ins? They give me the space to reflect, adjust, and actually stick to the things I say I’ll do.

I’d always intended to do monthly business reviews on my own, but (shockingly) they never actually happened. Even coaches need coaches. Having someone to hold me accountable, and to have the support there to think things through, has made all the difference.

If you’re going in circles, unsure of what to prioritise, or just struggling to step back when you need to, find that external support. A coach, a mastermind, even a trusted mentor. Having someone to reflect things back to you, challenge your thinking, and keep you accountable can be the missing piece.

Moving forward with intention

Now that I’ve given myself this space, I feel clearer, more focused, and – most importantly – ready to move forward in a way that feels right for me. Not just because it’s what I should do, but because it’s what I want to do.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or just unsure of your next move, maybe it’s time to winter in your business, too. Step back. Let yourself breathe. And trust that clarity will come.

Coming back to working on your business after taking a break and finding yourself in need of some support to keep you focused on the right things? I’m launching a brand mastermind very soon – add your name to the waiting list to find out more.