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Yesterday, I gave my Zazzle community hub website a little makeover. On the home page, I share a belief that’s guided me from the very beginning: “I’ve always believed entrepreneurship isn’t a race—it’s a shared journey.”

Those who’ve known me through the many years I’ve been a “Zazzlepreneur” know how true this is. But I’d like to take you back to where it all started—and why this philosophy means so much to me. My career before kids was as a Manager in the NHS. It was stressful, demanding, and—sadly—not often rewarding.

When I became a mom, being the “all or nothing” person I am, I chose to be both a full-time mother and a full-time self-employed, home-based worker. Life threw me another curve when I became a divorced mom of two under the age of three.

That meant I had no choice but to throw myself into finding ways to make money online. I tried many things—mainly content creation (back in the pre-AI days, though I like to think the thousands of articles I wrote helped train some of it).

I also experimented with selling custom artwork, and that’s where my shared entrepreneurship journey really began. On an art-related forum (remember those?), I met my first “entrepreneur buddy.”

Together we decided to give Zazzle a try. I’d already dabbled there, but only in a hobby sort of way. We started small, with a target of just $100 a month—and it took us around six months to reach it. Then we set $200, then more, gradually building momentum.

We weren’t just setting goals—we were sharing ideas, critiquing each other’s work, and learning together. Over time, our little duo grew into a larger community of fellow Zazzlers through Facebook groups, blogs, and beyond.

The joy we felt in helping others—and receiving help in return—was powerful. It became clear that entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be lonely or competitive.

It can be collaborative, uplifting, and deeply rewarding. Of course, there were highs and lows (we wouldn’t be human otherwise). But those connections, that support, made all the difference. Working from home can be isolating—especially in an industry most people in “real life” don’t understand.

Many assume we’re just “playing on the computer.” But we know the truth.

Community matters. Community rocks. And you rock.

Thank you to all those who've been so supportive to me over the years and more recently as I make a tentative return to the fold

The Unpopular Way I Beat Burnout and how my Zazzle passive income kept me going

Burnout isn’t just “being tired.”
It’s when your body, brain, and spirit all hit a wall at the same time.

For me, months of poor health, chronic pain, and overwork left me running on fumes. I was foggy, exhausted, and honestly scared. The medications I was on made it worse—memory lapses, confusion, even dementia-like symptoms. And yet, like so many entrepreneurs, I kept pushing.

Until I couldn’t anymore.

The Breaking Point

One day, I realized I was done.
I was mentally and physically exhausted to the point I couldn't do it anymore.

So I did something deeply unpopular in the hustle-driven, “always on” world of entrepreneurship:

• I put everything down.

• I stopped grinding.

• I gave up ... which isn't very glamorous! In an ideal world you stop grinding or rest before you reach this point. I didn't .. I pushed myself way too far. And compounded with chronic health issues my body said " enough !"

I decided to lean on faith—the belief that the universe had my back, even when I couldn’t show up at 100%. I've done this before as I've had an 'eventful life' and it didn't let me down so why I didn't just keep my faith I don't know ... we all falter and it's worth remembering that sometimes it's not only good but vital to trust in the power of those forces we do not understand!

What Happened Next

I expected my print-on-demand business to crumble without me.
But it didn’t.

Sales stayed steady ( ish). They'd have been steadier if not for the overnight changes Zazzle introduced every now and then! Fee hike being the latest.

Orders kept coming in. My passive all be it declining income carried me while I focused on healing.

It wasn’t “luck.” Along with faith it was the quiet power of systems, designs, and products I had built when I was well. And it reminded me of something else beyond faith that's important: this is why we create businesses that work for us, not the other way around.

My Recovery Wasn’t Glamorous

Healing wasn’t linear or neat. It looked like:

• Doing brain games to sharpen my mind again

• Fighting for better sleep with a new routine

• Coming off medications that were making things worse

• Exploring natural alternatives and lifestyle changes

• Watching my diet like my life depended on it

• Drinking more water than ever before

• Moving my body as much as my back would allow

Some days, “progress” was just making it out of bed. Honestly it was dire and chronic depression wasn't helping. 

But slowly ( very slowly) I started to feel a shift. My mind felt clearer. Ideas began to flow again. Creativity returned. This is a recent change! So it's been slow ... but recovery when your body needs rest shouldn't be rushed! If it is a relapse is imminent so I'm taking it easy!

What I Learned

1. Rest is a strategy, not a weakness.
   Stepping back doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it means you’re protecting your ability to keep going.

2. Passive income is a lifeline.
   My Zazzle and print-on-demand shops supported me when I couldn’t show up. Build systems that don’t collapse when you take a step back.

3. Faith matters.
   Whether you call it luck, the universe, or divine timing—sometimes you have to trust that when you care for yourself, life will carry the rest.

4. Your business needs you at your best.
   Entrepreneurship requires clarity, energy, and spark. You can’t build anything lasting if you’re constantly running on empty.

The Comeback

I still live with chronic pain. I still have health struggles. But I’m fighting back. I’m prioritizing hydration, healthier choices, and sustainable routines. And most importantly: my zest for entrepreneurship is alive again.

And that feels like a miracle.

Takeaway: Don’t be afraid to step back.

Don’t be afraid to rest. The unpopular path might just be the one that saves both you and your business.

Give yourself permission to rest and trust it will be ok!!

Forgive me if this post seems indulgent and I suppose in some way it is but one thing  I have also realised this past year is trying to appear tough and untouchable , built of steel when the reality is the polar opposite isn't helpful because eventually the cracks appear. So that's another take away ... keep it real and ask for help when you need it!

Heres to good mental health!  x

Share a review that made your day in the comments!

Name your store ( link) and either add a pic if allowed or copy and paste the review. 

Let's celebrate these positives in our Zazzle journey!

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Let your followers know how much love there is for your designs!

Wow I never thought after the year I've had I'd been writing this now!

As you know close to a year ago now I had to down tools due to health issues and a major case of burn out and honestly it's been a long hard crawl to start to feel even a little bit normal! My brain just wasn't in 'that' space you know?

And I have to confess to some weird type of PTSD related to the laptop and online projects. If I say I have opened it more than five times in this entire time that would be an exaggeration!

What I have been doing though is working hard to try to get back to that space! The head space where I am firing on full cylinders and able to focus. And I believe I am sufficiently there to be able to engage in small projects.

On that note ... I do feel very bad for leaving you all in the lurch all that time ago and would like to resume the memberships with a new take ... whatever I offer will be included in the membership to keep it simple.

I am brimming with ideas but am also open to yours as to what you might like to see!

Let me know if you are coming back to the fold!

I meanwhile will work out a nice membership deal. 

I hope to engage with you all again super soon and thank you so much for your patience and behind the scenes support. It was and is very much appreciated. 

Leah x