What To Do When You're Feeling Anxious and Overwhelmed as an Entrepreneur

Nov 13

If you're tuning into this episode, it's probably because you're feeling the weight of juggling a full-time job, family responsibilities, and the relentless pursuit of your business dreams. Trust me, I get it. I’m in the trenches too, and you’re going to feel anxious and overwhelmed sometimes. In this post, I’ll walk you through what I do (and don’t do) when life and business collide, and I’m here to help you navigate it all with more ease and less guilt.

First things first—feeling overwhelmed is part of the entrepreneurial journey, especially when you're starting a business while working full-time and managing your personal life. If you're feeling anxious, you're definitely not alone. I’ve been there. In fact, I’m there right now.

Moving to a new state with an 11-month-old, settling into a new home, and still working 32 hours a week left me feeling more than just a little frazzled. So, what can you do when everything feels like it’s piling up? Here are my strategies.

4 Things I Do When I'm Overwhelmed

1. Acknowledge the Shit Show

I accept that things aren't perfect—and that's totally okay! The first step to easing the anxiety is to recognize that life, especially as an entrepreneur, is messy. It's a hot mess sometimes, and that's the reality. I stop pretending that I have everything under control and allow myself to sit with it.

I take a deep breath, acknowledge the chaos, and often have a good cry or throw a pity party (hey, we’re only human). This moment of acceptance is the first step toward feeling lighter.

2. Leverage My Support System

I’m not going to lie: asking for help is tough for me. I tend to be that "I’ve got it all under control" person (insert eye roll). But I’ve learned that relying on my support system is key to surviving overwhelming times. If you have a partner or friends, lean on them.

Whether it’s asking for extra help with your kids or getting a bit of personal time to work on your business, don’t hesitate to reach out. My husband and I have an unspoken rule now: if I’m overwhelmed, I communicate that. I tell my friends when I’m not in a great place and ask if they have space for me to vent. This keeps me grounded, and I get the emotional support I need to move forward.

3. Do What Feels Good and Don’t Feel Guilty

Sometimes, the best thing to do when you're anxious is to give your brain a break. Whether it’s mindlessly scrolling through Instagram or watching Netflix for a little while, take the time to reset.

I’m not saying avoid your responsibilities, but give yourself permission to rest. For me, I once sat in my car for an hour while my baby napped, just scrolling through my phone without feeling guilty about it. Those little moments of detachment can do wonders for your mental health.

4. Break Things Down Into Bite-Sized Pieces

Overwhelm often comes from looking at a massive to-do list or a giant project that feels impossible. The trick is to break it down into small, actionable tasks.

For example, instead of "launch my website," I break it down to "brainstorm website name," "design homepage," "write content for About page," etc. Each step should be small enough that it’s manageable in short bursts—because, let’s face it, we don’t have hours at a time to dedicate to one task.

4 Things I Don’t Do When I’m Feeling Anxious

1. Add Unnecessary Tasks to My Plate

When I’m feeling overwhelmed, the last thing I need is more stuff on my to-do list. I’ve learned to say no when something doesn’t need my immediate attention. For example, when my husband mentioned needing a new lock for the back gate, I responded, “Do you want to order it this week?” and let him take the lead.

It’s all about delegation, and you don’t need to take on everything yourself.

2. Beat Myself Up for Letting Health Go

When life gets busy, self-care often falls to the bottom of the list. I’ve had my fair share of skipping workouts or letting my meal prep go out the window. But instead of beating myself up, I focus on what I can do. I might take an extra walk with my baby or cut back on snacks. No need to spiral because I didn’t meal prep for the week.

3. Keep the Plan in My Head

The moment I start keeping plans in my head is when I feel the most overwhelmed. Communication is key—whether it’s with my husband, friends, or clients. We have a weekly check-in to outline what needs to be done, both as a family and individually. It reduces the pressure and helps avoid frustration when things don’t go as planned.

4. Keep Extra Tabs Open

I don’t mean the browser tabs on your computer (although, yes, close those too). I’m talking about the mental tabs—those endless to-do lists and unread articles you’ve saved. It’s time to close them. Focus on what’s important right now. If you’ve been saving an article on "How to Make Your Baby Smarter"—guess what? You’re not missing out on anything by not reading it today.

Final Thoughts

Overwhelm is inevitable as a busy entrepreneur, especially when you're trying to juggle your full-time job and a growing business. But here’s the thing—you don’t have to let it control you. Use these strategies to break things down, ask for help, and take care of yourself.

Remember, you’ve got this! Starting a business is hard, but you’re building something meaningful. Take it one day at a time, and don’t forget to breathe through the chaos.

If you’re feeling stuck or need extra support, join my free five-day challenge, “From Nine to Fiver to Dream Business Entrepreneur.” I’ll walk you through actionable steps to turn your business dream into a reality while balancing your full-time job.

Let’s take that deep breath together—you’re doing great!