Sometimes you just need a pause that lets you breathe, look around, and remember that the world isn’t all deadlines, deliverables, inboxes and AI bros. This summer I swapped deadlines for a disobedient dog, Zoom calls for cream teas, and conference rooms for countryside walks. I spent a few weeks in the UK, wandering through storybook country houses, sipping tea the proper way, and remembering what it feels like to have an afternoon with no agenda. I didn’t meet the King, although I did loiter outside Buckingham Palace, scone in hand, sadly to no avail. Honestly Charles.
photo taken at Kingston Lacy House, Dorset
And now? I’m back, ready for September and the avalanche of projects, campaigns, and launches that come with the glorious chaos of Q3 and Q4 at Contentworks Agency. But first, let’s reminisce…
UK Highlights
There’s a particular joy in visiting England when you’re an English gal who now calls somewhere else home. It’s equal parts familiar and fresh. Like slipping into a favourite jumper you forgot you owned (And you will need that jumper and a mac for a British summertime!) London meant reunions with amazing friends who somehow pick up conversations right where we left off only this time in a cosy old pub. Shakespeare apparently drank here but I bet he didn’t enjoy the whopping big burger and fries we ate!
My mum, as always, proudly demonstrated (for the fifth year running) how her “disobedient” cockapoo dog has finally cracked obedience training. Spoiler alert, she hasn’t.
I ate fish and chips on a windswept seafront, fingers frozen but heart happy, and hoarded English sweets like a contraband dealer (seriously, why can’t I get Revels overseas?) I walked barefoot on soft grass, inhaled the sweetness of roses heavy with summer rain, and let myself be a tourist in my own country.
Getting serious envy over some beautiful old libraries.. can I perhaps create something like this in my own apartment?
Explaining to Stelios why baked beans are an important part of our heritage and can be found in all flavours and varieties.
It’s funny, leaving makes you love it more, but coming back makes you feel like you never left.
Why Pressing Pause Matters
Running a digital agency is all-consuming. Social media never sleeps, clients don’t wait, and campaigns have their own agenda that rarely matches “work-life balance.” But creativity thrives on oxygen and space. On those quiet, seemingly “unproductive” moments where your brain isn’t forcing output but instead soaking up inspiration.
For creative minds, rest isn’t just nice to have, it’s scientifically essential. Research shows that the brain’s “default mode network” (the part linked to imagination and problem-solving) becomes more active during downtime than when we’re focused on tasks. In other words, your best ideas are brewing when you think you’re “doing nothing.” A study by the American Psychological Association also found that workers who took regular breaks were 31% more productive and significantly more innovative compared to those who powered through without pausing. Even sleep plays a huge role. According to the National Institutes of Health, REM sleep boosts creative problem-solving by up to 40%. For marketers, strategists, and storytellers, this means pressing pause isn’t indulgence, it’s an ROI booster.
Hitting the Ground Running (Well, Walking Rather Fast)
No gentle easing in. September arrived and immediately threw a to-do list the size of a Dickens novel at me. And I love it.
Video Script Magic. Right now, I’m deep into crafting a brand-new video script. The kind of project that lights me up and reminds me that human creativity is still key and very much in demand. Words are powerful, and putting them into motion picture? That’s where the fun begins.
Helping a Bank Launch. Another huge focus is supporting a brand-new neobank as it prepares for its big Q4 launch. No pressure, right? Just the small matter of building trust, shaping a voice, delivering a winning strategy and creating impact in one of the most competitive markets out there. But this is what gets me buzzing, making sure they don’t just launch, but launch and land with authority.
Q3 and Q4 Events. Event season is upon us, which means strategy sessions, campaign planning, and making sure our clients don’t just show up but stand out. Key considerations for adding an event to my calendar? Are there good networking opportunities, will I learn anything from the speakers (or fall asleep into my 3rd cappuccino). And most importantly are the canapés and lunch worth the small talk.” Tell me there will be lunch?!
The Autumn Energy
I never liked “back to school” as a child. For me it meant the end of freedom and long summer days getting swapped for rigid routines, scratchy uniform and discipline. But as an adult and business founder it hits different. September is a time of focus, energy, and new projects and this year, I’m leaning into that energy. The calendar is stacked, the projects are ambitious, and the creative fire is strong. And unlike school, I’m not doing anything I don’t want to do. The equivalent of double physics on a Monday morning doesn’t exist in my world.
And I’m also planning my next trip. Because balance isn’t about a single holiday. It’s work hard, pause, recharge, repeat. I’ve got my eye on a few destinations and if the past few weeks taught me anything, it’s that stepping away is the secret to showing up even stronger.
Final Sip
So, here I am. Back at my desk with a large rude orange cat lolling across my notepads, the last of my English candies and a head full of ideas.
- Expect bold storytelling and human written content
- Expect some exciting news and PRs from my clients
- Expect energy (unless it’s a really boring meeting)
- Expect me to continue to keep it real (check out my TikTok for more of that!)
So here’s to September. I didn’t meet the King… boooooo. But I did refresh the version of me that thrives on fresh air, beautiful gardens, muddy horses in muddy fields, gooey cakes in cosy tea-rooms, great historic stories and amazing people. If you need me, I’ll be somewhere between writing a video script, launching a bank and Googling my next escape. After all, balance is everything.