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amogh

How does startup life impact your mental health?

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I can definitely go from a Monday high to a Friday low, even if nothing objectively changes. It feels different to my previous jobs because the number of things I could pick up are almost unending, and the work is definitely closer to my identity. What about you? Are there specific tactics you use to deal with this?

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Tyler Termini
I think one of the most pervasive and sinister byproducts of working in a "startup capacity" (whatever the type of organization may be) is the de-prioritization of the simple, mundane moments within your personal relationships. I work at a very small startup for my day job (as a PM), I moonlight as the co-founder of another one, and still I spent the last week cramming to build a portfolio site from scratch for my UX work so I could take on part-time contract work for a non-profit I love. All of these projects I’d consider “value-aligned” (I am very lucky and privileged to be able to work on things I deem are important), and yet—it all comes at the expense of spending quality time with my girlfriend, and has almost certainly gotten in the way of me making friends where I currently live. One of the most important aspects of quality human life is being bored, and unfortunately we have mostly eradicated the possibility of being bored on any sort of regular basis unless we force it. Nir Eyal discusses the notion of “traction” as a skill to stave off “distraction”, because for the first time in human history our biggest problem is not finding out how to fill our time and how to gain enough knowledge, but rather how to empty our schedules and ignore irrelevant knowledge. When you are bored, you daydream wonderful new ideas, and often these ideas are aligned with your values (and others’ values, too). And if you’re not in the particular mood to sit on your hands or meditate (an indispensable skill for improving mental health), you’ll think of things to do with friends, or conversations to spark up with them if you’re away from them. I know this isn’t your typical response for “quick hacks” to better your mental health, because in a way they are somewhat antithetical to typical startup lifestyle. But that’s actually the idea—something’s gotta give. Time is our most valuable asset, so finding out how to own it again is one of the core first-principle ways for improving your mental health. Yes, startups are sacrifice—that’s part of the idea, and I’m definitely glad on some level to join others who are sacrificing normal comforts to build something truly great. I definitely value a lifestyle of “purpose” over a lifestyle of pleasure of comfort. But, when that “purpose” starts to erode your personal relationships and vampires so much of your time that you can’t periodically see the forest from the trees, you should tread with caution—because if you can’t find purpose, meaning, and value in life’s small moments, how can we expect you to create it in a bigger and far more complex project? Also, here’s an essay on the value of “idleness” and why it’s essential for creative thinking: https://www.laphamsquarterly.org...
Stas Voronov
True story :) What I do: - Using Pomodoro technique and 10min meditations to refresh the brain during the day - Trying to completely forget about work during weekends and fully switch context - Made 5 top goals for a week on Monday. This allows you not to worry about prioritization. Even if it's a mistake, it costs only one week - Setup work slots every morning, and align them with top goals. I have only 8 slots, 50 mins each. - At the end of a work day I write - 3 things you did great, and 1 thing to improve. Hope this can help you
amogh
@stas_voronov It's interesting that you focus more on the great vs. what to improve each day. I'm gradually coming to realise that no one really pats us on the back in this journey and we kind of need to do that for ourselves.
Stas Voronov
@amoghito Yeah, motivation is a big thing here. I constantly try to convince myself that the process is more important than the result :) Plus every day I get new soft skills that I can apply in any job. For motivation, I would try to set goals for a month, a week, a quarter, a year, 3 years. It can be very inaccurate at first, but over time it will be more accurate and accurate.
Zach C
The most helpful things I've done, in order of helpfulness: 1. Weight training (a miracle drug) 2. Install 'Nuff Tabs and limit my browser to 3 3. Go easy on the coffee
amogh
@zachcaceres Haha didn't know about 'Nuff Tabs, how do you think that helps you?
Rich Manalang
I'm definitely in a funk if I don't get any exercise. For me that means going for a mtn bike ride early in the morning for 1.5-2hrs in my local hills. Riding in nature clears my head and prepares me for the day. The endorphins gained from a ride is enough to get me through the toughest day. Another thing I've recently started using more is MacOS/iPhone's focus modes. I set it up to silence the constant noise and distractions of the day. When all else fails, I just disconnect and take a break. I can't be productive if I'm not in the right mental state.
amogh
@rich_manalang Love that, I think starting the day with exercise makes it a successful day from the get go. I've started hitting the gym in the morning regularly too!
Franziska Kroll
I think the closer what we do in our working life is to our identity or hard, the easier it is to have a work life and private life blend into each other. For me, this is definitely something I have to work on balancing out better. I have to remind myself to also: - take time for myself - reflect and see what I have learned or what worked out well instead of already thinking about the next to do - eat healthy meals - have something fun to do with friends - talk to my co-workers regularly for decompression periods :)
Vivek Raghunathan
(founder of Neeva) * Embrace the uncertainty. * Embrace the lows. Assume you will get punched in the nose a few times every day, and experience delight at the days when you don't * Periodically talk to folks at bigger companies and realize the incredible learning you are having. * Accept that you are not your feelings.
Sarah Jordi
Honestly, I have worked in and with startups for 10+ years and as much as I love it: It can get so bad for mental health incredibly fast. The glorification of the startup hustle really makes it even worse. In most startups I worked with, we fell into the typical pattern of the classic toxic silicon valley charade of: - We're all one family 🤪 - Work hard play hard 🤡 - The harder the hustle, the bigger the win 🥸 - wOrKiNg dAy aNd NiGhT iS pArT oF tHe gAmE 😝 - Generally, all of the war analogies in startup life, such as "hunting down users", "conquering markets", "war room", "defeat enemies" It's crazy how easily we are fooled by these "values" and startup life mottos. And ultimately, after a first year or so of fun, it always leads to burn out, loss of motivation and drive or even depression. The glorification of the "startup hustle" is INSANE and in the longterm it never helps the business, but usually hurts it. So, anyways. Rant over. :) Tactics I now use to deal with this: - Practicing empathy within the team - Creating room for honest and open discussions on how everyone feels in the team - leading by example, by openly talking about my own struggles - challenging these toxic startups mottos when someone brings them up - IF we work more hours than normal: Make sure it's on everyone's own terms (= not forcing people to work all these hours at set times and locations) - Consciously taking time off when work allows it - Differentiating between things that actually need to get done (business critical) and things that can wait. Usually, most things can wait - sport, sport, sport
Praveen Anasurya
@sarahxjo At Unaakiway, we are developing a virtual pet to gamify self-care. Please have a look at Unaakiway in upcoming projects.
Rich Watson
worry of competition stress of milestones not meeting deadlines these can take a toll...
Aashi Sk
It can be the worst place to be for your mental health but once it starts getting results for you, it can help you meet the strongest version of you. To deal with the dilemma when I am stuck at some point, I usually go swimming or listen to my favorite songs or just simply sleep to freshen up and think of ideas after a break it helps me get to the best of the ideas.
Daniel Burns
Startup life is definitely a harsh one, but with a positive attitude and gratitude I keep going forward. I also involve going to the gym a few times per week to give my endorphins a boost.
Techuser Net
I’ve been through depression (which I’m being treated for), anxiety, ADHD, etc. I’m building my first SaaS though I’ve launched several businesses in the past and I totally understand how daunting this can all be. I’m more than happy to talk through things with you and see if I can help you reach a different mindset or at least figure out what sort of steps you need to take to feel better about yourself (be it counselling through a professional or anything else). Total Credit card
Madara
I work full time in a corporation and part time in the start up. There are advantages and disadvantages for both. For me the thing that has helped is to be honest from the start and communicate what kind of working environment, hours, etc is ok for me. My bosses know what to expect from me. I respect their time and they respect my time. At first I thought that start ups are a bit chaotic and lacks structure, but after working in both big corporations and start up, I understand that the structure is created more by individuals than the company itself. I have worked in a crazy chaotic corporate company that had no structure and start up felt like a walk in the park afterwards. It is fun to learn together with the team. The team spirit feels stronger in a start up.
Aleks Dahlberg
Rock climbing and Yoga. Startups take a severe mental and physical toll on you the deeper you dive. Look after yourself, it's all fun and games until you battle bouts of intense depression, anxiety, imposter syndrome and burnout while having to function at a high level.
Alex Robinson
There's no doubt that startup life can be incredibly stressful and demanding. long hours, tight deadlines, and constant pressure to perform can all take a toll on your mental health. If you're not careful, it's easy to burn out or become overwhelmed. That said, there are also a lot of positive aspects to startup life that can impact your mental health in a good way. The sense of camaraderie and teamwork, the feeling of being part of something special and innovative, and the opportunity to learn and grow can all be great for your mental health. So, it's important to find a balance. Make sure you're taking care of yourself mentally and emotionally, as well as physically. Find ways to relax and de-stress, stay connected to your support network, and take time for yourself when you need it. If you can do that, you'll be in a much better position to handle the challenges of startup life.
Praveen Anasurya
At Unaakiway, we are developing a virtual pet to gamify self-care. Please have a look at Unaakiway in upcoming projects.
Software Guy (Aarvy)
I can't explain, but there is pain behind this smile.😌
Ella Reid
Startup life can have a profound impact on mental health, often characterized by high stress, long hours, and constant pressure to perform. The uncertainty of success, financial instability, and the need to multitask can lead to anxiety and burnout. Personally, I've found that maintaining a balance between work and personal life is crucial for mental well-being. Regular exercise, mindfulness practices, and seeking support from friends and family have helped me manage stress effectively. Additionally, having access to resources like a psychiatrist near me can be invaluable for addressing any emerging mental health challenges proactively.