What I Wish I Knew: Lessons from Running a Small Business With Anxiety

Starting my own small business has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life—but it’s also been one of the most challenging, especially as someone who deals with anxiety. When I first launched, I thought I had to be “on” all the time: creating products, posting on social media, responding to messages, and constantly hustling. I quickly realized that mindset isn’t sustainable. In fact, it was making my anxiety worse and putting my creativity at risk.

The Power of Breaks and Downtime

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is how essential breaks and downtime are—not just for my mental health, but for the health of my business. At first, I felt guilty taking a day off or stepping away from my work. I thought that every minute I spent away from creating was a minute wasted.

But the truth is, breaks are not wasted time. They’re necessary. When I give myself permission to rest, I come back more focused, energized, and inspired. Sometimes, the best ideas don’t come when I’m sitting at my desk—they come when I’m walking my dog, reading a book, or just sitting quietly with a cup of tea.

Finding Inspiration in Life Outside the Business

I’ve also learned that my “real life” outside of my business is one of my greatest sources of inspiration. Whether it’s a hobby, a conversation with a friend, or simply watching the world around me, these moments spark creativity in ways that constant work never could. My designs, my products, and even my marketing ideas often come from observing life and giving myself the space to reflect on it.

Not Everyone Will Like What You Do

Another lesson that took me a while to fully grasp: not everyone will like what you do, and some people might even get offended. That’s okay. Your work can’t—and shouldn’t—be for everyone. Trying to please everyone only creates more stress and makes it easy to lose your authentic voice.

Instead, focus on staying true to yourself. Share your story, your vision, and your authenticity. The people who resonate with it are the ones who will support you and your business in meaningful ways.

Find What Works for You

This might be the most important lesson of all: you have to find what works for you, not someone else. Especially when it comes to things like SEO, social media, or marketing strategies—what works for one business or one creator might not work for you. The key is to experiment, pay attention to what feels manageable, and adapt to your own style and pace. Your business, your energy, and your creativity are unique—your methods should be too.

Practical Tips for Anxious Entrepreneurs

Here are a few strategies I’ve found helpful:
Schedule downtime like an appointment. Treat breaks as seriously as meetings or deadlines. This ensures you actually take them.
Set boundaries with work. Decide on specific work hours and stick to them, even if your business feels “urgent.”

Use your downtime for inspiration. Step away from work and do things that bring you joy—read, draw, play with your pets, or take a walk. These activities feed your creativity without pressure.

Listen to your body and mind. Anxiety can be exhausting. If you notice your energy dipping, honor it rather than pushing through.
Reflect on your wins. Take a moment to acknowledge what you’ve accomplished, no matter how small. This helps counter the anxiety-driven focus on what still needs to be done.

Stay authentic. Not everyone will love your work, and that’s fine. Your story and your unique voice are what make your business truly special.

Experiment and adapt. Find strategies that work for you—not anyone else—especially with SEO and marketing. Your business is unique, so your approach should be too.

Embrace Rest, Authenticity, and Your Own Path

Looking back, I wish I had known that rest is not the enemy of productivity—it’s an essential part of it. I also wish I had understood sooner that authenticity matters more than approval, and that my business strategies need to fit me, not someone else. By taking care of my mental health, staying true to my story, and finding my own path, I’m not only surviving as a small business owner—I’m thriving.

If you’re running a business with anxiety, remember this: your well-being fuels your creativity, your authenticity fuels your impact, and your unique approach fuels your success. Give yourself permission to rest, give yourself permission to be unapologetically you, and give yourself permission to do it your way.