Mentally. Financially. Spiritually.
And the worst part?
I didn’t even realize it until the damage was done.
I was a first-time founder chasing a dream with relentless urgency. I skipped meals. Slept less. Worked weekends. Ignored the growing anxiety.
I wore grind like a badge — until it became a burden.
No one talks enough about what it really takes to build a startup. The emotional whiplash. The crushing self-doubt. The constant oscillation between “We’re going to be huge” and “Why did I ever start this?”
But here’s the truth I learned the hard way:
Your company’s success cannot come at the cost of your sanity.
After burning out, I spent nearly a year rebuilding not just my company, but myself. I started journaling. I got therapy. I redefined what success meant. And most importantly, I stopped treating health as optional.
Now, as I write a book about that painful but transformative year, I keep returning to this truth:
Founders don’t just need strategy and capital.
We need support systems. We need rest. We need to feel human.
When founders burn out, companies bleed.
The team feels it.
The product suffers.
The vision wavers.
Yet most early-stage ecosystems still glorify overwork and dismiss vulnerability. We tell each other to “push through” instead of pausing to check in.
If you’re a first-time founder, especially solo, know this:
I’m building my second startup with a new mindset.
This time, I protect my peace. I speak up about mental health. I encourage my team to take breaks.
Because hustle alone isn’t heroic. Healing is.
If you’re in your “year of breaking,” let’s talk.
If you’ve been there and rebuilt, share your story.
Let’s build not just companies but cultures where founders can thrive, not just survive.
✍️ I’m currently writing a book titled Unfunded. Unfinished. Unbroken. If this post resonated with you, follow along. I’ll be sharing excerpts, lessons, and raw reflections from the front lines of building while healing.
