TL:DR:
In this blog post, Michelle, the founder of SoGather, shares her personal experiences in overcoming negative thoughts as a solopreneur.
She discusses her approach to breaking free from unproductive thought cycles, including reminding herself of her motivation and purposes of being a Solo, and embracing activities that combine physical and mental engagement.
Michelle emphasises the importance of avoiding time-wasting activities and seeking inspiration through fresh experiences.
Every day is viewed as a new battle, requiring intentional steps to start positively.
Over the course of my decade-long journey as a freelancer, I've grappled with a significant challenge that accompanies the solopreneur lifestyle: combating negative thoughts on challenging days, or “bad days”.
What do I mean by "bad days"? I'm referring to those mornings when I wake up to a relentless barrage of self-doubt and negative thoughts. Questions that often haunt my mind include "Am I doing enough?", "Do I truly possess the skills to make this venture succeed?" and “Am I setting myself up for failure?”. Sound familiar?
While offering advice is easy, I recognize that everyone's journey is unique. Therefore, instead of dispensing guidance, I'd like to share my personal strategies for breaking free from such mental ruts.
Revisiting My Motivation
I remind myself of why I embarked on the solopreneur path - my motivation, hopes, and life's purpose. However, this alone isn't sufficient.
Committing to Action
I make a determined effort to engage in some form of work - any work. During one of these "bad day" episodes, I drafted the initial outline of this very post. Now, as you read the final version, you're witnessing the positive outcome of this approach.
I find that injecting an element of "fun" and novelty into my work aids in breaking the cycle. For instance, I used my iPad and Pencil to jot down thoughts, deviating from the conventional typing routine.
Engaging in Diversions
To counteract the paralyzing effects of self-defeating thoughts, I engage in activities I both enjoy and excel at. These activities demand the engagement of both my body and mind, typically lasting no more than an hour.
For instance, I take pleasure in crafting meals. Grinding fresh spices for my favorite masala chai or assembling a lunchtime salad allows me to relish small victories, steering me toward a positive work mindset. Other activities include workouts, household tasks, and errands.
I don’t worry about the hour I took to get into a positive thought cycle because my productivity more than makes up for the hour-long time investment. Moreover, the flexibility as a freelancer allows me to make up the time later in the day.
Fending Off Time-Wasters
I make a conscious effort to avoid activities that drain time and foster guilt. Activities like excessive sleep, aimless social media scrolling, or getting caught up in lengthy mobile device entertainment might provide momentary relief from negative thoughts, but the subsequent guilt exacerbates the cycle.
Seeking Fresh Perspectives
I've discovered that stepping away from my familiar environment opens opportunities for inspiration. Novel encounters, such as new sights or conversations with strangers, stimulate innovative thoughts.
Occasionally, I share my whereabouts on SoGather’s Insta page, extending an invitation to fellow solopreneurs to join me for a chat or be in each other’s company while working in "Go Solo, Together” style.
Truthfully, battling these negative thought cycles is a daily endeavor. I don't assume that if today was good, tomorrow will be too. I have to mindfully put these strategies into action each morning upon waking.
Remember that it is important to take that first step to:
“Get up (or, out), Do Something.”
Want to connect with fellow solopreneurs who understand the challenges of those tough mental days?
Then join us and be a part of this supportive community of freelancers and solopreneurs (collectively “Solos”) where we share experiences, strategies, and inspiration to empower one another to stay motivated for the long haul.
Go Solo, Together!
Useful resources by the Singapore Government:
MindSG*: https://www.mindline.sg/workspace. *MindSG is a digital stress management platform that aims to empower and equip individuals with tools, knowledge and pathways to self-care and seek out professional help when needed.
Samaritans of Singapore. https://www.sos.org.sg
Tripartite advisory on mental well-being at workplaces: https://www.mom.gov.sg/covid-19/tripartite-advisory-on-mental-well-being-at-workplaces
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