Working Solo Can Feel Isolating: 5 Ways to Deal with Loneliness for Solopreneurs
Solopreneurship is on the rise as more and more people seek freedom, greater work-life balance, and unlimited earning potential. Recent data shows that out of 33 million small businesses in the U.S., more than 80% are managed solely by their owners, a.k.a. the solopreneurs.
However, working on your business independently also has its drawbacks. Aside from wearing multiple hats, navigating difficult situations on your own, and constantly making critical decisions, individual entrepreneurs are also battling silent struggles.
A survey shows that 75% of small business owners have expressed sincere concern over their mental health.
The responsibilities, risks, and pressure of keeping your entire business afloat, can leave you feeling emotionally drained, exhausted, and alone in this journey.
In this article, we will share with you strategies on how to handle entrepreneurial loneliness before it takes a toll on your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
The Silent Struggles of Solopreneurs
Loneliness can arise at every stage of entrepreneurship. Having no one to share your ideas with, challenge your ways, and hold you accountable for your actions can compound and reinforce the feeling of isolation.
For example, it is common for solopreneurs like you to feel isolated when starting your venture as you devote more of your time and effort to researching, planning, and conceptualizing the business.
Additionally, the switch from working in a collaborative environment with a full-time job to one that has only you as the employee is a huge adjustment. Your routine and family dynamics are also affected as you accommodate the demands of the new business.
Once your business gains traction, you then become fixated on making the operations and processes more productive and efficient.
Your friends and family might struggle to relate to your unique challenges as a solopreneur, further deepening the sense of isolation.
You might start to turn down social events or skip hanging out with your friends because of the sheer volume of work needed to be done, the risks and uncertainty of running a business, as well as the pressure of growing and sustaining the operations.
These factors can put a strain on your existing relationships and make it difficult to build new ones. Before you know it, you find yourself isolated and stuck in the loneliness cycle.
How to Break Free from the Solopreneur Loneliness
The antidote to loneliness is creating and maintaining genuine connections. It can be within yourself, the people around you, or with nature. You will experience a sense of belonging, purpose, and support when you nurture these relationships, which will help you cope with stress, boost your mood, and reduce feelings of loneliness.
Here are five tried and tested techniques for dealing with solopreneur loneliness:
1. Join a community of solo entrepreneurs.🤝 Seeking opportunities to connect with fellow solopreneurs can bring a sense of community which helps ease the feeling of isolation. Attending business conferences or conventions is a good way to meet and collaborate with fellow solopreneurs and expand your network. You can also join virtual communities through online platforms like the Fud app where starting founders, aspiring solopreneurs, and successful business owners share their journey and motivate one another.
2. Find a good mentor.🔍 A mentor or coach does not only guide you in growing your business but also provides emotional support and encouragement. Finding a mentor who understands your pains and struggles as a solo entrepreneur can be validating and empowering. Alternatively, you can offer mentorship to other solopreneurs who can benefit from your expertise and are looking for an accountability partner or a good conversation. An effective mentor-mentee relationship can lessen the feeling of isolation as you now have someone you can share your struggles and successes.
3. Boost your feel-good hormones.💖 Discover what activities make you happy, excite you, or tickle your curiosity, and do more of it. Doing exercise, starting a hobby, walking, reading a book, listening to music, or volunteering can trigger your feel-good hormones, reduce stress, and improve your overall health. These moments can remind you of an interesting world beyond work and are nature's way of recharging your mind and body.
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4. Schedule regular check-ins.✅ Between busy schedules and endless to-do lists, you can easily get lost and caught up in your own world. Maintain regular contact with your trusted friends and family even if they don't fully understand what you’re going through. Schedule a monthly meet-up with friends, cook dinner for the family every Sunday, or go on a road trip with your spouse. Take this time to actively listen, make meaningful conversations, and deepen your relationships.
5. Delegate tasks or automate using AI tools.💻 Consider hiring freelancers or outsourcing to lighten your workload. Having a team you can depend on can also lead to mutual growth and a shared sense of purpose that mitigates feelings of loneliness. You can also put repetitive tasks on autopilot using AI tools to make your processes more productive and efficient.By delegating and using automation, you can free up some of your time so you can focus on building connections and engaging in more fulfilling, less isolating activities. You can now integrate social activities into your workflow, attend industry conferences, or collaborate with fellow solopreneurs.
Developing a healthier relationship with yourself, bonding with your friends and family, engaging with the community, and connecting with nature are ways to nurture meaningful connections to overcome your silent struggles.
Remember, the journey of working solo doesn’t have to be lonely. With Fud, you can join a supportive community of like-minded solopreneurs and gain access to resources and tools that support both your business and your well-being.
Here's to breaking the cycle of loneliness and making the solo journey a little less solo. 🥂
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