I was burned out
Wow! It has truly been a long time since I have been on IndieHackers (slightly over a year). I have to admit I was burned out mentally, physically, financially.
I truly lost my passion in building what I was focused on because I was burned from a lot of devs (overseas) with my web app idea so it never came to fruition, the constant upset of lack of funding, overworking myself to afford and scale and it never came out. By the time I was financially able to take on the project again....I didn't want to.
I took a break. It was the best thing I ever did. Want to know why? Because I didn't even care about the idea anymore. My idea was always to want to help Creators connect and I was trying to add on so many extra features instead of building the MVP.
So with that being said Jemsplash is no longer Jemsplash....it's just called Jem. I also launched a podcast a few months ago called Queer N' Cool, it brings me so much joy :)
I am working with a close knit developer using No-Code Tools (Flutter Flow) to build the mobile app. I also used Carrd to put together a MVP landing page to drive users to sign up for beta (already quite a growing list). If you want to see what Jem truly is you can read here ---> https://jemsocialapp.carrd.co/
I am building again, it feels good...because I am keeping it simple with pre-built features that are available already and tying the idea altogether.
I learned the following:
- Don't overwork yourself. It's not worth your health.
- Take a step back when needed.
- Do research. An MVP doesn't need to require too much of your personal money (me personally that is my opinion as a solopreneur)
- Network and ask for help. I wasn't doing that and now I ask for help when needed and have made it much further already.
I had to type and let this out because a already underrepresented founder, I was embarrassed and didn't want to add more to the plate of reasons to not be noticed as a Founder but, as many other founds have done....fail fast.
P.S: Thomas Edison,“failed” 9,000 times before he was successful with his light bulb invention.
I hope this helped someone feel better about their situation.
I find going out into nature and taking a very long walk helps and doing a digital detox helps. Balance balance balance is the key!
Funny enough I just came back from a farm. Have you ever had soursop (guanabana)?
Good to know you're OK now.
Many folks start indie hacker journey because they get burn out at their current full time jobs and find a way to escape. This post prepare them about what will really happen.
Good luck on your journey bro and thank you for your valuable 4 bullet points.
Thanks!
Good to hear that you are doing well now, it is very painful to go through it, especially the motivationless slump. I am currently going through one myself as one of the ideas which I was working on for the last 3 years failed, very intense full-time job and being a parent to a 2 year old takes a lot. But trying to keep my head high and looking for the next idea to keep going.
I can totally relate. Please if you ever want to connect about your ideas I'd love too. I'm a Project Manager with experience in Product Management too. Being a Dad, working full time, and a founder is tough. I believe in you!
Thanks a lot Bree , love to catch up . If you want to catch up on Twitter this is my profile. https://mobile.twitter.com/thisisrahulm
Just followed you :)
Glad you're doing better now! I can totally relate, I too feel quite burned out.
It's so common, I just wanted to open up and let everyone know that it's okay.
An MVP is good for idea validation and also it might motivate to put some more work on the project.
Totally, I am excited to roll out the MVP whenever I do.
burn out is real! And sometimes people can be in that place for years and years, just running on fumes. Convinced that their cynicism, loss of excitement, stomach issues, their inability to enjoy what they used to is all just a new part of their personality. When in fact, they are incredibly burned out and need a break.
And, I love that you emphasized asking for help. We all need to work on that I think.
Absolutely, you hit it on the nail.
I feel the same right now and it feels great to hear that there's a light at the end of the tunnel and I can get motivated again.
Sure is! It's okay if plans change. These products in our faces change all the time, so can we.
Good to have you back, Bree! The burnout struggle is real, you're not alone. And sometimes taking a step back is the best thing you can do — both for your business and your health. Glad to hear that it worked for you!
Here's a pretty comprehensive post that I bookmarked a while back, with resources for anyone else who might be struggling. Hope it helps!
Thanks so much man! I am going to check out the post.
Welcome back! Been there, multiple times. Trying to balance myself better these days.
Welcome back Bree. It's great to hear that you are feeling better and with the energy for new projects. I create tools and content to help bootstrappers, so let me know if I can help you somehow :)
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing. Hope you are getting better!
100% better and finding the joy in building :) thanks!