You’re not supposed to carry this alone

You know those weeks where everything feels like it’s finally coming together?

A project lands. Someone wants to invest. You get a glimmer of clarity. The momentum kicks in, and for a moment you think, maybe I’ve got this after all.

And then - bam.

The contract falls through. A key partner ghosts. Your inbox goes suspiciously quiet. You open a spreadsheet and suddenly forget how numbers work.

And you find yourself spiralling from “I’m building something exciting” to “Why did I ever think I could do this?”

Yep. Been there.

Running something - building something - is a rollercoaster no one really prepares you for.

It’s high-stakes and heart-led. It’s exhilarating and exhausting. It’s full of moments that make you want to scream into a pillow and dance around the kitchen… often in the same hour.

And no matter how good you get at the strategy, the pitch deck, the growth plans, the investor comms…

There will still be days when everything feels shaky. When you doubt your decisions. When it feels like you’re holding it all together with sellotape and blind hope.

But here’s the thing: you’re not supposed to carry it all on your own.

The real magic isn’t in having everything figured out.

It’s in who shows up for you when you don’t.

It’s the person who sends a voice note that makes you laugh on a crap day.

The mate who pours you a glass of wine and lets you unravel without trying to fix it.

The Slack message that says, “Same. You’re not the only one winging it.”

The teammate who steps in when you just need a breather.

That’s what makes the difference.

Not a productivity hack. Not a five-year plan. Not a colour-coded Notion page (although I do love a good Notion page).

It’s connection. It’s community. It’s the scrappy little moments of solidarity that remind you: you’re not alone.

So whether you’re riding a high right now or stuck in a dip…

Keep leaning into the people around you. Keep asking for help, even when it feels awkward. Keep showing up for others, even when you’re knackered.

Because the truth is – no one is doing this without wobbling sometimes.

But connection? That’s what gets you through.

Founder cheat sheet

Before you spend hours (or weeks) spiralling in your own head about what to do next, try this: lean on the people around you.

The ‘Been There’ Person

Someone who’s walked this path before - faced the same challenge, made the same call, maybe even messed it up and learned the hard way. Their hindsight can shortcut your overthinking. Reach out. Ask questions. Let someone else’s experience hold the torch for you.

The ‘No Bullsh*t’ Friend

The one who knows you, not your business. The one who’ll tell it to you straight - not just hype you up, but ground you when your head’s spinning. Sometimes connection isn’t soft and supportive - it’s a well-timed “what are you actually doing?” text that brings you back to earth.

Your People - the Ones You’re Building For

Your ideal user, client, customer, community. The people who matter most. Instead of guessing what they want, ask them. Drop the pressure to have it all figured out on your own - connection with your audience will teach you more than any framework ever could.