Summer: the season of out-of-office replies, big ideas on beach towels, and slightly melty iced coffees. For small business owners and creative entrepreneurs, it’s also that midyear moment when energy can dip, plans can shift, and we suddenly realise the year is both halfway done and still wide open.
So the question is: how do you want to feel in your business right now?
Inspired by December’s 12 Days of Bizmass Joy (yes, we’re back and we brought sunglasses), this summer edition is a celebration of joy in business — even when you’re juggling client work, clocked out at the beach, or trying to remember what day it is. I asked a group of brilliant creatives to share how they’re finding lightness, ease, and playful momentum in their work this season — whether they’re deep in launch mode or deep in holiday mode.
Because joy isn’t just a nice-to-have or something we save for holidays and vision boards. It’s a practice. A strategy. A tiny rebellion. And sometimes, a playlist.
Read on to find little snapshots of what this actually looks like — thoughtful, honest, and refreshingly human. Take what you need, leave the rest (preferably in a hammock).
Laura, Thought Partner & Coach
Why does joy matter in your business right now — especially in the middle of the year?
I think for me it’s being more open and flexible, as a business owner I think we forget one of the joys is being able to create the flexibility. So saying yes to things, letting more life in and hopefully that will bring more aliveness to my work too.
Any small rituals, practices, or mindset shifts helping you stay light or feel good lately?
Starting the day in the garden listening to the birds. Noticing what feels good and easy and choosing more of that.
How are you inviting play or delight into your business this summer (whether you’re working or taking a break)?
I take Fridays off client work but I’m taking Fridays off completely to go and do things that feel good, either an inspiration day for myself, seeing friends/family or nourishing things at home.
Eve, Content Creation & Social Media Support
Why does joy matter in your business right now — especially in the middle of the year?
When it gets to the summer there is always the risk of burn out. My energy levels are low, I’ve been busy for the past 6-7 months, with not much time off and then the holidays begin.
Joy is essential in my business to keep me going and finding moments of joy in the busy times is like discovering gold! It’s the perfect afternoon when you’ve finished jobs early and can get out in the sunshine. Or your friend can meet you for an impromptu lunch. Joy in the simplest form is often the sweetest.
Any small rituals, practices, or mindset shifts helping you stay light or feel good lately?
Starting the day listening to a podcast (currently the fabulous Jo Hooper of Get Wildly Free), whilst making a cup of tea or walking the dog. It’s time I’m setting aside just for me, and it’s really helping me focus on what I want to do that day and what I want to achieve for me. It’s making such a difference to how I feel and on the odd day I’ve not done it for whatever reason, I’ve felt a lot less balanced.
How are you inviting play or delight into your business this summer (whether you’re working or taking a break)?
I’m working a 3 day week over the summer holidays, with the other 2 days being more flexible to allow fun trips out or afternoons full of ice cream and walks in the park. I’m also planning some holiday style lunches, to make the working days more fun…think bruschetta, fresh pasta and a glass of cloudy lemonade.
Abby, Freelance Illustrator
Why does joy matter in your business right now — especially in the middle of the year?
It keeps me motivated in my personal work and sketchbooks which are a huge part of my drawing practise! It’s also really important to remember the joyful moments and highs when things may seem a little quiet – everyone goes on holiday, projects get put on hold and invoices get left behind.
Any small rituals, practices, or mindset shifts helping you stay light or feel good lately?
Starting about half an hour later in the mornings currently, as it’s been so hot!
How are you inviting play or delight into your business this summer (whether you’re working or taking a break)?
Taking a few Friday afternoons off – I am going to a gig on Brighton beach this coming Friday, and not feeling guilty about it. Know when your business naturally ebbs and flows, it really helps!
Siobhan, Mentor for Disruptors
Why does joy matter in your business right now — especially in the middle of the year?
There’s a bit of a lull and drop in biz momentum right now, so seeking joy and bringing joy to things is uplifting!
Any small rituals, practices, or mindset shifts helping you stay light or feel good lately?
I’ve taken up gratitude journalling again – just 3 things each day to remind myself that I’m not a POS and to see the joy in each day. Because even if there’s been bickering and crap weather…there’s always something beautiful or magical to notice. Also going to bake a tone of chocolate and peanut butter brownies for the trip. And I’m going to search out new GF snacks in the weird and wonderful shops we’ll no doubt come across on our travels.
How are you inviting play or delight into your business this summer (whether you’re working or taking a break)?
I’m going to be living the laptop lifestyle from cafes and pubs and the back of the van (I can’t do brightness outside with my laptop…hurts my eyes) while we travel around the North of England and Scotland for a few weeks. I’m going to prioritise play and explore new places with my family on the trip but will try and find quirky, fun & inclusive places to work from in the cities we visit.
Laura, Comms Legend
Why does joy matter in your business right now — especially in the middle of the year?
It’s school holiday season for many clients, collaborators and community friends and some things feel like they go a little quiet during the cycle of people taking breaks. I don’t have kids, so for me, it’s actually a time when I often spend more time working on my business. So, as so many others jet off in some way, shape or form, bringing the joy feels vital for those of us who are summer-working.
Any small rituals, practices, or mindset shifts helping you stay light or feel good lately?
Gentle mornings – starting the day with something that enriches or inspires me like an episode of a great TV drama, a chapter of my book, or a podcast. Oh, and cans of True Start Cold Brew Coffee!
How are you inviting play or delight into your business this summer (whether you’re working or taking a break)?
This summer, I’m inviting play and delight into my business with intentional community interaction, like joining new spaces that feel good for the soul and nurturing existing friendships and relationships. Connection feels essential – with myself just as much as with others.
Vivienne, Life & Career Coach
Why does joy matter in your business right now — especially in the middle of the year?
It’s a hard slog being self employed and 7 months into the year, my energy starts to flag, so prioritising moments of joy in July and August puts a pep in my step! Also – it’s (generally) sunny and everyone’s moods are lifted so take advantage of the long evenings and plan an impromptu picnic, go for a bike ride and feel like a kid again, let the icecream melt down your hand as you stroll along the river.
Any small rituals, practices, or mindset shifts helping you stay light or feel good lately?
I take an hour for lunch, rather than just grab 20 mins break here and there. I make herbal iced tea, keep it in the fridge and add a few sprigs of mint and then mix it with soda water – delicious and refreshing on warm sweltering days. Keeping a shorter to-do list means I feel achievement every day, as opposed to a longer To Do list and then moving the unfinished items onto tomorrow’s list!
How are you inviting play or delight into your business this summer (whether you’re working or taking a break)?
More concentrated office hours and Friday afternoons off. Swimming more regularly and always in the morning = a good way to start my working day. My posts at this time of year are, I think, a little more light hearted before we head into September with the Back to School feeling.
Becky, Freelance Communications Consultant
Why does joy matter in your business right now — especially in the middle of the year?
Having recently moved from a senior agency role to start a freelance adventure, making space for joy in my personal and professional life is really important to me.
I now have the flexibility to schedule my days in a way that suits my natural working pattern and commitments, which means I’ve been able to work on carving out time for things that genuinely energise me. Since going solo, each week I consciously embrace my new-found freedom and make a promise to do something that aligns with my values and makes me happy!
Prioritising joy also means fuelling creativity. It helps me connect more deeply with people, spark stronger ideas and steer clear of burnout. Mid-year can often feel like a significant turning point – a pause between what’s been and what’s coming next. I’ve found that leaning into joy during this time can help protect both my personal and professional energy, allowing me time to reflect, reset, and refocus.
Any small rituals, practices, or mindset shifts helping you stay light or feel good lately?
Craving the coast: Growing up in London, I didn’t spend much time near the coast, but these days I find myself craving it. I love spending time at the beach or wandering down to the marina close to my house. There’s something comforting about being close to water, it helps me slow down and feel more present.
Press play to reset: I’ve got back into listening to podcasts again recently. If I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed and have a few too many thoughts whirling around in my head, listening to someone else chatting away helps me reset. A firm favourite of mine is The Adam Buxton Podcast – always guaranteed to put a smile on my face.
You are the sky: As someone who has lived with anxiety for most of my life, I’m a big advocate for talking about it openly. Something that stuck with me recently came from an interview with Loyle Carner. He said: “If your thoughts are clouds, then you are the sky.” It’s such a simple image, but a helpful reminder that you are not defined by your thoughts. Like clouds, they come and go, and underneath it all, there’s space for calm, clarity, and space to just be.
How are you inviting play or delight into your business this summer (whether you’re working or taking a break)?
Whether it’s as simple as a spontaneous trip to the park in the sunshine, or as meaningful as showing up for my best friend’s daytime event (something that would have been tricky to navigate at any other point in my career), this summer is all about embracing lightness and balance.
I’ve also committed to exploring more, both further afield and right here on my doorstep in Suffolk. Over the last few months I’ve realised that, when life gets busy with back-to-back calls and shifting deadlines, it’s easy to visit new or familiar places without really noticing them, or being truly present.
By allowing myself to slow down a little, I’ve opened up to small, joyful experiences that I can naturally weave into my working week. I’ve made friends with dogs on their daily walks, chatted with local café owners, gone on adventures with my nephews, and watched a family of baby birds grow in my back garden – all moments that may have previously passed me by.
And along the way, I’m learning that the more space I create for play and joy, the more energy and fresh ideas show up in my work.
Amy, Coach, Reiki Master Teacher & Sound Practitioner
Why does joy matter in your business right now — especially in the middle of the year?
Kids and husband (a teacher) are all off so I plan my work around spending time together during the summer. This year we’re off to Italy for a few weeks (my husband is Italian), so being able to have summers off were a big part of becoming self employed for me.
Any small rituals, practices, or mindset shifts helping you stay light or feel good lately?
Movement and time outside with the sun on my face every day, always gratitude 💜
How are you inviting play or delight into your business this summer (whether you’re working or taking a break)?
Front loading things like emails, posts and all the rest in advance to allow myself freedom to spend time with family and chill over summer.
Sarah, Email Marketing Strategist
Why does joy matter in your business right now — especially in the middle of the year?
I work with ecommerce businesses and Q3 and Q4 are very busy. So right now I need to make the most of the summer, raise my energy and be ready for the months ahead.
Any small rituals, practices, or mindset shifts helping you stay light or feel good lately?
Oat milk lattes! I also take regular short breaks just to walk around the garden bare foot for the grounding energy it gives.
How are you inviting play or delight into your business this summer (whether you’re working or taking a break)?
Time away from the office with NO laptop, summer social with fellow email marketers, early walks with my dog when the temperature is perfect and treating myself to the odd Magnum.
Katie, Photographer & Videographer
Why does joy matter in your business right now — especially in the middle of the year?
Business owners work SO hard and we often forget to celebrate ourselves, if we can’t take some time off to enjoy the summer with loved ones – what are we doing it for?! It’s actually my busiest time of year but I’m making time to enjoy life outside work, too.
Any small rituals, practices, or mindset shifts helping you stay light or feel good lately?
Fresh air before work! A potter in the garden, brekkie or cuppa outside or a walk before sitting down to work
How are you inviting play or delight into your business this summer (whether you’re working or taking a break)?
Working a lot less and flexi hours, holidays where I put out office on and don’t check! Doing a personal photo project to spark more creativity.
This is your friendly reminder that joy in business doesn’t have to be loud or luxurious — sometimes it’s as simple as pressing pause, reworking a routine, or sending a playful out-of-office. I hope these reflections gave you a spark (or at least a nudge toward your nearest iced drink).
What’s your go-to summer joy ritual or treat? Come tell me on Instagram, or forward this post to a business pal who could use a little midyear magic.