Finding my Rhythm as an Entrepreneur
Learning to move with the ups and downs of working for myself
The Pause I Didn’t Plan For
I had to take a few weeks off from thinking about Substack, writing, or anything beyond surviving the day. Between traveling, work, and wrapping up a big project, I barely had time to do simple things like laundry, let alone write. Honestly, I’d been feeling off.
Remember when I said this entrepreneurial journey was going to be filled with ups and downs? Yeah, I’m feeling the down right now.
This is the reality of working for yourself: the ebb and flow, the freedom and the fatigue. Some weeks feel full of fire. Others, you just want to rest.
And that’s okay.
I’ve learned that the rhythm of entrepreneurship isn’t linear. It's emotional. It’s unpredictable, demanding, and deeply personal. Some days you soar. Other days, you crawl. But every step counts.
The Inner Tug-of-War
Some days, I’m energized by the future and grounded in the present. Other days, I spiral. I panic about money. I question everything. What if I never get another client again? What if this is all just a phase I won’t recover from?
Right now, I’m on my fourth contract with a nonprofit client. It’s been nearly a year, and I know there’s no long-term growth for me here. I just wrapped a seven-week project I truly loved. As grateful as I am, it’s bittersweet.
Contracts end. Projects wrap. That’s the nature of this work.
And I’m learning that being your own boss means having a plan for the after. Not out of fear, but out of intention.
💬 Reflection Prompt:
What’s one area in your life where you could plan for the "after" with curiosity instead of fear?
What I Thought Freedom Would Feel Like
I used to envy people who worked for themselves. The flexibility. The autonomy. The mid-morning coffee breaks and unhurried walks. Back when I was working 9 to 5, Monday through Friday, I felt like a bird in a cage. I was on company time, not my own. I wanted out.
I imagined a life where I’d ease into my mornings with a workout, a journaling session, or coffee in the sun. I’d take calls when I wanted, build beautiful decks and spreadsheets, then explore a new restaurant at night. I saw her in my mind: the fabulous business-lady version of me, making it all happen with grace.
Now that I’m here, I know flexibility comes with something heavier: responsibility. You don’t just run your own schedule. You run your energy, your finances, and your future.
FIBI vs. Focus
Lately, I’ve been thinking about FIBI—“f*** it, book it.” Everyone around me is jetting off to Europe for their summer holidays. Meanwhile, I’m in steamy NYC like... okay, where’s my plane ticket?
I’m tempted. But I have a plan this year, and I want to stick to it.
In the past, I’d go FIBI with no second thought. But now, I’m more intentional. I’m not punishing myself. I’m just shifting my priorities. Travel can wait. My goals cannot.
And honestly? That kind of discipline is new for me—and worth celebrating.
The Real Work Behind “Working for Yourself”
What I’ve learned is that entrepreneurship isn’t just about creating your own hours. It’s about managing your mindset, your time, and your self-belief—on repeat.
Here’s what I’m learning:
Discipline: Follow your schedule, even when no one’s watching. Every small task you complete adds up.
Navigating Unpredictability: Trust that you’ve prepared. Low moments don’t last forever. Make informed choices and stay grounded.
Creating Structure: If it matters, calendar it. Even rest, reading, or a walk outside. Your time matters, all of it.
It means learning how to show up for yourself, especially when no one else is watching. It means being your own manager, coach, and sometimes, your own cheerleader. Especially on the days when no one else sees the effort you're putting in.
“I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.” —Madam C.J. Walker
💡 Skill Check:
What entrepreneurial muscles are you strengthening right now? Time management? Communication? Boundaries? Name them. Celebrate them.
Embracing the Ebbs and Flows
I still have days when I feel uncertain. I doubt my abilities. I wonder if I’m doing any of this “right.”
But I’m learning to trust the rhythm. To honor the slow weeks as much as the fast ones. To value the clarity that comes from stillness. To find peace in the pause, not just the productivity.
This season has taught me to set firmer boundaries, listen to my capacity, and celebrate the wins, especially the quiet ones.
Like waking up without an alarm.
Like having time to make lunch in the middle of the day.
Like choosing to believe in myself, again and again.
There are other moments, too:
The feeling of seeing a paid invoice hit your business bank account.
The feeling of hearing a client say, “Thank you,” because you showed up, solved a problem, and made their life easier.
The feeling of doing work that energizes you, so it doesn’t feel like work at all.
The feeling of treating yourself to a dessert just because—because you can, and because you deserve it.
These are the quiet joys I’m learning to hold close. This is what flow looks like right now.
I’m Not at the Finish Line, But I’m Further Along
This journey is not always easy. But it’s mine. I’m figuring it out, experimenting, growing. And I’m learning that entrepreneurship is not just about building a business—it’s about building a life that feels true to me.
💭 Have you ever imagined what your life could look like if you worked on your own terms?
💬 What would your rhythm feel like?
Next Up: I Miss My Dad
How I honor my father even though he’s no longer here, and how he continues to guide me through life.