I've always had this belief about myself that I walk the last leg of a race. Not helpful, I know, and something to work on, but I normally at least push through. This time I'm not, and I feel one part weak and one part a bit relieved.

The last customs drop opens on Monday 5th October, and it'll be my last drop before I go on maternity leave and my last for 2026. I usually share lots on Instagram in the lead-up, because the more you put in, the better it goes. But this time I just haven't felt up to it.

I'm assuming it's the hormones, but I'm craving being offline more than ever (something I've shared about recently) and tightening my connections. I was planning to switch off completely after this drop anyway. Then yesterday I spent so much time on my phone that I ended up completely overwhelmed by the information overload. The parenting advice is just a lot and it feels hard not to consume and then question myself. Last night I said to Michael, "I'm just going to go off Instagram and do what I can through the Simple Prints Journal and email." He couldn't have been quicker to reply. He's witnessed the effects it's had on me for so long now so he's very ready haha.

I find it's much nicer to connect here anyway, and a lot less overwhelming.

It's probably not the smartest business move. It would be ideal to have as big a buffer as possible for cashflow with six months of leave ahead. But sometimes it's about looking at things from a bigger, more overarching perspective, and I'm lucky to have built enough of a buffer already that it's not a necessity. Instagram is so fast paced, and right now I just don't feel aligned with it. It contradicts everything I try to bring through in Simple Prints: being more intentional, minimalist and sentimental. Maybe this time away will give me the space to figure out how I can add value on Instagram, but for now I'm letting it go.

Maybe walking the last leg isn't the flaw I always thought it was. Sometimes it's just knowing you're carrying more than usual and when it's time to step away rather than push through.

So if you're in the thick of pregnancy too, feeling like you're not at full capacity and beating yourself up for it: we aren't at full capacity because we literally can't be! We are growing humans, and the people and things that matter will still be there when we have the space again.

I almost need to write that out and put it on a wall somewhere, because I keep getting so easily wound up and then realising, oh, it's probably because I'm pretty pregnant right now.

With love, Sam

P.S. The final customs drop of 2026 opens Monday 5th October. Order here. Spots are limited, and it's the last chance before I'm back in May 2027.