I’ve Been Quiet. But I Haven’t Been Standing Still.

There are still boxes waiting to be unpacked in our apartment in Hamburg.

This year, we moved back from Italy, got married civilly in Hamburg in July, and celebrated our church wedding in Martina Franca in August, with celebrations at my dad’s masseria. It was magical. And a lot. Looking back, I honestly don’t quite know how we managed everything.

Alongside all of that, I was finding my way back to work after burnout earlier this year.

So if you’ve noticed that it’s been quiet here, there’s been quite a bit happening behind the scenes.

And as I start sharing again, I want to talk about why I share these things in the first place.

The person behind the business

One of the hardest parts was letting go of projects I cared about.

Projects I was interested in. Projects I wanted to make work. Projects that also brought in money—which, when you run your own business, is hardly an insignificant detail.

But some of them overwhelmed me repeatedly. And eventually, I had to take that seriously.

Being passionate about something didn’t automatically mean I had the capacity for it. I had to become more honest about what I could take on, and overcome the fear that came with saying: I can’t keep doing all of this.

LANACCI changed as a result. I brought the work back to myself, and I’m enjoying being directly involved again.

I love being close to my clients. Having conversations, understanding what’s happening in their businesses, and giving myself enough space to think beyond the next task. Looking at where we’re heading together, and whether the work we’re doing actually supports that direction.

That part makes me very happy.

Working with each other, at eye level

My clients tell me about their businesses all the time.

The exciting things. The frustrations. The plans they’re unsure about. The things that worked beautifully and the things that didn’t go anywhere near as expected.

Those conversations help me understand them, and they help me do my work.

I want there to be room for honesty in both directions.

Of course, I’m responsible for the work I take on. That includes being clear about what I can deliver, communicating when something changes, and being honest about what is realistic.

It also means being able to say when I see things differently. To question a direction, suggest another approach, or recognise that a particular project isn’t the right fit.

I want to work with my clients at eye level, with mutual respect and enough trust to have those conversations.

That’s the kind of relationship I value. It’s also the kind I want to build with anyone who comes to work with me.

What that meant this year

Earlier this year, being honest with myself meant accepting that the way I was working needed to change.

I’ve written about overwhelm before, and even used the word burnout. Looking back, what I experienced at the beginning of this year changed my understanding of it.

I restructured LANACCI and brought the work back to myself. I also let go of projects that repeatedly overwhelmed me.

Some of those were projects I genuinely wanted to do. I was passionate about them, and they brought in money. Letting them go meant facing the fear of what would happen if I stopped holding on.

But wanting to do something didn’t mean I could keep doing it at that cost.

Around Easter, I slowly started working again. Since then, I’ve found so much enjoyment in being closer to my clients and directly involved in the work.

I’ve had more space to think about their businesses as a whole. To consider where we’re going, develop ideas, and learn new things. I feel more confident in my skills, and more aware of my limits.

Both matter to me.

There has been a lot of good, too

One of the projects I’m particularly proud of was a mini-branding for Paul Petersen.

After our discovery conversation and his feedback, I brought everything together into an identity that felt incredibly right for him. He was immediately enthusiastic, and I was so pleased with how fully it captured what we had discussed.

It reminded me how much I enjoy that part of my work: listening, noticing connections, and helping someone express the personality and potential of their business.

There are also details in websites I’ve recently launched that I wouldn’t have known how to create twelve months ago. I recently attended a Squarespace event and came away full of ideas. I’m enjoying learning and having the headspace to explore what’s possible.

Those things belong here, too. The pride, the curiosity, the projects that feel like a wonderful fit.

And so does my gratitude for the clients who were patient and kind during a difficult time. I’ve been open with them, and I believe that honesty is part of why our relationships feel so good.

Check out the finished Project here: www.paul-petersen.com

Why I’m sharing this

I want this space to reflect what running my business actually looks like.

For current clients, it’s a little more of the person and process behind our work together. For potential clients, it’s a chance to understand who you’d be working with and what you can expect from that relationship.

And if you’re building a business yourself, finding your feet, or going through a difficult phase, I hope there’s something here you recognise.

I would have benefited from seeing more of the uncertainty alongside the finished projects. More room for someone to be capable, committed, and still figuring things out.

So that’s what I want to keep sharing.

The good work. The difficult decisions. The things I’m learning. The moments I’m proud of, and the times I need to reconsider something.

It won’t always be heavy. There’s plenty of room for beautiful websites, new ideas, wedding photos, and the occasional update on those unpacked boxes.

But I want it to be real. No BS.

If that feels like the kind of person you’d enjoy working with on your brand or website, I’d love to hear about your business—the full picture.

And if you’re simply here to follow along while figuring out your own way, I’m glad you’re here, too.

xx,
Lisa