When Passion Feels Heavy: The Struggle Between Mental Health and Running a Small Business

Running a small business is often painted as this wildly fulfilling adventure, early mornings fuelled by coffee and purpose, the thrill of orders rolling in, and the pride of seeing your hard work come to life. And yes, sometimes it is that. But what we don’t talk about enough is how it feels when the passion begins to feel like pressure, and the thing you once loved starts to drain more than it gives.

As the owner of a small, customised gifting business, I’ve poured so much of myself into creating something personal, thoughtful, and joyful for others. Every ribbon tied, every label printed, every handwritten note, it all comes from a place of care. But behind the scenes, there are days when the weight of it all becomes too much.

Juggling the demands of running a business while struggling with mental health is like trying to sprint through mud. The pressure to be constantly creative, productive, present on social media, replying to messages, fulfilling orders, keeping things afloat, it doesn’t stop. And when depression or anxiety creeps in, motivation becomes elusive. You know what needs to be done, but even getting out of bed can feel impossible.

There’s guilt, too. Guilt for not replying fast enough. Guilt for not showing up online. Guilt for needing to step back when your business, your dream, needs you. People say, “Take care of yourself,” but when your livelihood depends on your own output, it’s not always that simple.

Over the past few months, I’ve had to confront the reality that I can’t pour from an empty cup. There were days I sat at my desk, surrounded by beautiful materials and unfinished ideas, and felt nothing. No excitement, no inspiration, just a heavy fog.

So I made the difficult decision to take a step back. Not quit, not give up, just pause. I needed to prioritise my mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. And that meant giving myself permission to not be everything all at once.

That space, though terrifying, gave me breathing room. Slowly, I started to reconnect with why I started in the first place. The joy in creating something meaningful. The smile on a customer’s face when they receive something truly personal. The creativity that flows when I’m well, not just when I’m grinding.

Healing isn’t linear, and neither is running a business. But with each small step, designing a new tag, packing an order with care, scribbling down an idea in a notebook, I’m finding my love for this work again. Not out of obligation, but out of choice.

I’m learning that success doesn’t have to be constant hustle. Sometimes, it’s about resilience. About being kind to yourself when you’re struggling. About redefining what balance looks like in your life, not just what social media says it should look like

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If you’re a small business owner trying to hold everything together while quietly falling apart, you’re not alone. Your worth isn’t measured by how busy you are. And it’s okay to pause. To rest. To regroup.

You started your business for a reason. That reason is still there, even if it’s buried under exhaustion and overwhelm. Give yourself grace. The love will find its way back when you’re ready.