Everyone hypes up the freedom part of being an entrepreneur. “Be your own boss.” “Work whenever you want.” “Unlimited earning potential.”
And yeah, all of that is true on paper, But the part nobody tells you: it’s lonely as hell.
When you’re building something, you’re the only one who really cares if it works. Your friends don’t get it, your family nods politely, and even your co-workers (if you have any) aren’t lying awake at night thinking about cash flow and customer churn.
It’s just you.
You’re the one waking up at 3am wondering if this is all worth it
You’re the one forcing yourself to keep showing up when everyone else is posting their “fun weekends” on Instagram.
I’m not complaining I chose this path.
But I wish people were more honest about this side of it.
The mental weight, the self doubt, the weird mix of isolation + pressure.
curious if others here feel this too.
How do you deal with the loneliness part of entrepreneurship?
No one talks about how lonely this can get
byu/No-Dig3205 inEntrepreneur
Posted by No-Dig3205
8 Comments
We get it. Hard to make space for others when our minds are always pre-occupied. Tough to enjoy yourself sometimes when stressed. It’s not always easy to relate to people with different goals and ambitions.
Try finding more friends who are in the same path. Their expectations of time commitment could be more aligned with you and understanding of your focus on the business. Mine share memes. We meet up for coffee instead of drinks. We exchange stories, tips, and discuss book recommendations.
Also, instagram isn’t real. Those pictures are a tiny glimpse and the real story doesn’t always align. Keep doing what feels right to you and don’t get discouraged or distracted. Grass isn’t greener on the other side.
Feel free to DM if you ever need. There is always time for fellow dreamers and doers in my life
Man, you nailed it. Nobody really talks about the *quiet parts* of entrepreneurship, that feeling of carrying the whole weight by yourself. I’ve definitely had those nights where I’m staring at the ceiling wondering if I’m just delusional.
What’s helped me a bit is finding small communities of other builders where you can actually be real, not just “crush it” talk. Even just one or two people who get it makes a huge difference
Joining a cowork space made a big difference for me
That’s a you issue. There are so so many communities, meetups, events etc. with like minded people. It’s even a boost to your business, as you’re networking as well.
The road is as lonely as you make it.
May I suggest finding your nearest 10k Small Business Goldman Sachs chapter. Check it out.
Focusmate might work for you or others reading this. You basically pair up with someone else doing work. Great for social contact as well as for accountability!
People generally only see the “good” when it comes to running a company or being your own boss.
Right