11/09/2025
âšâšPlease keep this in mind when you see your self-employed friends or family who might not always seem like themselves.âšâš
âThe reality of running your own businessâ
Owning and running a business is incredibly tough. What people donât often say is that it can bring overwhelming stress and anxiety, sometimes leading even the calmest of people into burnout and depression.
Youâll find yourself talked about, compared, taken advantage of. To some, you stop being seen as a person and become just a service.
People expect you to be available 24/7 because âyou work for yourself, so you can make time.â Sadly, thatâs rarely how it works. Friends and family may expect discounts, and your hard work is often valued less than that of a big chain store.
Then thereâs the constant worryâif you donât reply to a message or email quickly enough, will someone assume it was intentional? Will they feel let down? The truth is you just canât keep up with everyone all the time.
Building and maintaining a business puts huge strain on personal lives and relationships. Many donât survive because workâlife balance is almost impossible. You have to be the director, the worker, the admin, the marketing team, the accountant, the cleaner⊠all while trying to be a parent, a partner, a friend, a family member. Itâs one of the hardest juggling acts youâll ever attempt.
Thereâs a reason so few small businesses make it past the five-year mark. And those that do are often overwhelmed. It takes a heavy toll. Itâs utterly exhaustingâespecially after the past few years, when so much has been beyond our control.
This is just a gentle reminder: behind every small business is an ordinary person with a very busy life. Please be kind, be patient, support small businesses⊠and hopefully more of us will still be here tomorrow.
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