Sep 1 will be the 1 year anniversary of my decision to go out on my own. In the last 10 weeks I have missed rent payments, missed insurance and had it cancelled, sweated 2 dollar bus rides, not eaten sometimes because I didn't want to spend money on food.
At times, I have regretted my decision to leave a comfortable life, doubted, cried, bargained, been depressed and thought things the former me could have never imagined me thinking.
I've learned a lot, but not enough, and while part of me is deeply worried, the bright spots are really bright and I am hopeful that I'll emerge stronger. I've separated some real friends from fake friends, learned where I'm strong and where I'm weak, realized how amazing my girlfriend is, and grown up a lot.
I'm still depressed and unconvinced I'll be net better off. And this might sound awful, but part of me is glad when I see that other people have pains and doubts, because it makes me imagine that I'm not alone in the struggle, that the lack of immediate success doesn't mean I'm incompetent.
Yes, I sympathize with your struggle, as bootstrapped startups hold an especially difficult financial burden. Personally, whenever I'm feeling down, I try to focus on what exactly am I doing with my current startup that is innovative and going to push the world forward. I think with purpose also comes peace, so I think it's always important to get back to that.
Yes it does give us strength to know that others are powering thru the same situation as us. Stay strong as I am staying strong but the keyword i think is balance, I am not quite at the point of sweating about $2 but i feel your pain. find a contract job or do something on the side, retreat on the quest to fight another day.
Sep 1 will be the 1 year anniversary of my decision to go out on my own. In the last 10 weeks I have missed rent payments, missed insurance and had it cancelled, sweated 2 dollar bus rides, not eaten sometimes because I didn't want to spend money on food.
At times, I have regretted my decision to leave a comfortable life, doubted, cried, bargained, been depressed and thought things the former me could have never imagined me thinking.
I've learned a lot, but not enough, and while part of me is deeply worried, the bright spots are really bright and I am hopeful that I'll emerge stronger. I've separated some real friends from fake friends, learned where I'm strong and where I'm weak, realized how amazing my girlfriend is, and grown up a lot.
I'm still depressed and unconvinced I'll be net better off. And this might sound awful, but part of me is glad when I see that other people have pains and doubts, because it makes me imagine that I'm not alone in the struggle, that the lack of immediate success doesn't mean I'm incompetent.