[RHSman2]

As a sort of failed founder I think the hardest thing is the resilient loneliness. You build this castle in your psyche and have to implement it in real life and no one knows the full picture. Initially super exciting and then reality. I 100% understand why suicide is a very real option without good support.

[topicseed]

Not failing myself, although running a simple one-man show, but loneliness is indeed the hardest part. And I'm rather distanced myself naturally.

Tried meetups... Too much posturing and no vulnerability.

Tried online groups... Too digital.

Very curious to see how people handle that loneliness. It's terribly hard at times.

[dsign]

Don't seek other founders, we are a boring bunch--for the most part--and too hectic. Also they will induce anxiety in you.

Online games changed my life when I was deep in/under the valley of startup desperation. I met people I could talk about non-work things. Or whom I could joke with about my job. That also helped, trying to see the funny side of the harsh life of a company founder from the outside.

That was four years ago. Company is doing better than ever these days, not particularly thanks to me. And I don't feel too lonely these days.

Another thing that worked for a friend of mine: writing fiction. He says his characters live in his mind, like he is the hardware running the world of his books, so he never feels alone. And he also gets to interact a lot with fellow writers in the real world. Fiction writers are a very different bunch than software developers, it seems, they are more concerned about people feelings and such.

[topicseed]

I need to get out of the house... I need stuff that requires my full attention because otherwise I start thinking about solving coding issues, new revenue streams, assessing and reflecting on my outsourced team members, etc.

Watching sports helps but there's a huge high during it, then a massive low as soon as it ends...

[RHSman2]

Yeah, it is important to get grounded. Friends, activities, sport which seems of secondary importance but in the long run primary. I found climbing to be the best of all things. It shut my mind down (as I was very focused!)

[topicseed]

I'm not even a hustler (lots of procrastination wasting many days), but I'm always thinking, "if I have to do stuff, surely it should be working" so I shut down sports and fun stuff.

Hard to force myself not to...

[factsaresacred]

I'm similarly running a one-man show and it's definitely a lonely path at times. Especially as you've built this entire universe of ups and downs that nobody can relate to.

Running a successful solo-business is a lonely route by definition. Few people are on a similar path, fewer still reach the summit. For me, thinking back to how much lonelier it felt to sit in a busy office knowing that there's got to be a different way, provides perspective.

Besides, perhaps loneliness is the cost of admission: a business is a path to wealth, freedom and possibly meaning. Happiness is not included.

[topicseed]

Maybe you're right and I expect too much (i.e., everything) from my own business. But in the end, although I have more control, it is still a job, with ups and downs, things I hate, things I love, etc.

[RHSman2]

Doing my own venture helped me realize the things I love. And being a founder was a phase, a challenge. Super proud I did it but it just isn’t the way I want to live my life moving forward.

[Cyril_HN]

Founders are a sub class of solo ventures. Athletes, artists, musicians, actors etc. all are going through the same basic things at the core.

[elevenoh]

>I think the hardest thing is the resilient loneliness

Truth.