The Five-Foot Zone
On side projects, half-commitment, and the exhaustion of not going all in
You're five feet deep — not swimming, not sinking, not floating.
Standing, but just barely.
On your tiptoes. Chin tilted high. Breathing, but only just.
You're constantly adjusting. Shifting your weight. Never fully resting.
At first it feels manageable. Safe, even. You tell yourself you're fine here — the water's not that deep. You can touch the bottom. You're not in any real danger.
But the longer you stay, the more exhausting it becomes. Because holding yourself up takes more effort than it looks. Your calves start to burn. Your neck gets stiff.
And eventually, the comfort turns uncomfortable.
I've been here more than once.
When I decided to start ShareVita.org, a non-profit focused on leveraging technology to reconnect communities, I was terrified of leaving my job. Leaving felt like erasing proof I was ever good at something. Staying would have been slow suffocation. Quitting felt like a game of craps — especially when the path I wanted isn't linear but a sideways leap into the unknown. The fear isn't just failing. It's the 2 a.m. spiral: What if I jumped for nothing?
But with startups, the idea won't leave you alone. You've scribbled it in notebooks, pitched it to friends at dinner, researched competitors at 1 a.m. Maybe you haven't started. Because starting means risk. It means telling people what you're building and watching their faces for doubt. It means months of work that might lead nowhere.
So you stay in the five-foot zone — one foot in your job, one foot in the dream, never fully committing to either. You plan instead of build. You read instead of ship. You tell yourself you're being strategic, when really you're just scared.
And then there's the next level of limbo: when you're far enough in that it already costs you something, but not far enough to call it real. When it's still a "side project," but it's eating your nights, your weekends, your attention. When you've shipped enough to know there might be something there — but not enough to feel steady. You hover in that space, half-committed, updating the roadmap, refreshing analytics, telling yourself you're being patient when really you're just afraid.
Going all in means more than quitting a job. It means letting go of the version of yourself that could still say this didn't count. It means attaching your name to something that might fail publicly. It means waking up every day knowing that if this doesn't work, there's no one else to blame. No org chart. No manager. Just you and the thing you chose to build.
And the fear isn't just that it won't work.
It's that you'll give it everything — the time, the focus, the belief — and still come up empty. That you'll jump only to realize you were the only one who thought the water was deep enough to matter. That you'll look back for traction, validation, momentum — and find silence.
So you stay where you are. On your tiptoes. Still technically safe. Still able to walk away. But feeling the quiet drain of never fully committing, never fully knowing.
The thing is, you can't stay on your tiptoes forever.
Your body won't let you. Eventually you either push off and swim, or you climb out and dry off. But the in-between — the "I'll start next month," the half-in — that's what wears you down.
Scared of going deeper. Of fully committing.
And yet.
Equally scared of climbing out. Closing the repo, shutting the laptop, and wondering forever what would have happened if you'd just committed.
What I keep reminding myself is this: even when it feels like I'm jumping in alone, I'm not.
There are people on the deck. Founders who've made the leap and will tell you what the water's actually like. Friends who'll sit with you when it's hard. People who'll answer the phone when you're spiraling, remind you why you started, and let you crash on their couch if everything falls apart.
They don't make the swim painless. But they make it survivable.
And sometimes, knowing you won't drown — even if you come up gasping — is enough to finally let your feet leave the bottom.
I'm still figuring this out. Maybe you are too. Parts of me have toweled off and are writing from the other side — I quit a job that was burning me alive, and hours later I felt lighter than I had in months. But other parts of me are still standing on my tiptoes, chin lifted, wondering if I should peruse LinkedIn jobs.
If you're in the five-foot zone right now, I see you. It's exhausting. But at some point you need to commit — and not just on git.
P.S. Follow my Substak https://substack.com/@getmekaiac?
I can relate to this 100%. Love the analogy of the 5ft zone, resonates with me. Time goes by faster that you can blink and ideas are either stuck in idea mode or progress doesn't quite move.
While not ready to quit my job, I have a routine where I start at 4am, push until 9am when my day-job starts so that I can still make progress on my dream product launch.
"The exhaustion of not going all in"
Felt this for years. 8 years as a PM, always had side project ideas, never fully committed. The mental tax of straddling both was worse than either option alone.
Quit last year. First thing failed. Currently building the second. Still uncertain, but at least the exhaustion is from doing the work, not from avoiding the decision.
Nice post...I feel you!!! I'm betting on myself big time...but definitely need some traction soon to keep me afloat! Stay strong! Keep going!!
Really powerful piece — the five-foot zone metaphor hits hard. That quiet exhaustion of half-commitment is something so many builders and creatives live with but rarely name. Your honesty about fear, identity, and finally choosing yourself makes this deeply relatable.
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I can relate. Always afraid to take that next step, then the years go by, jumping from one project to the next, from one client to another, and never fully committing to any of the ideas I had.
Every hour I dedicated to a personal project feels like wasted time because there was always something I wanted to improve or fix before building the next feature. I'd usually say this was because I wanted just a better product, but deep down I guess it's just that I have been afraid of going all in.
New member here, trying to get inspiration from other creators, and hopefully find the courage to make a reality every product I have already built in my mind.
This resonates deeply. With Pacebuddy (a macOS CPU monitor I just launched), I spent months in that exact five-foot zone — tweaking animations on weekends, convincing myself I was "being thorough" when really I was terrified of shipping something imperfect.
What finally pushed me to commit was reframing the fear: instead of "what if it fails publicly," I asked "what if I never know?" That uncertainty became more exhausting than any potential criticism.
The part about going all-in meaning you can't say "this didn't count" — that hit hard. Launching means owning it. But there's also unexpected relief in that: once it's out, you stop managing theoretical problems and start solving real ones.
Still figuring out the balance between full-time focus and keeping income stable, but at least now I'm swimming instead of standing on tiptoes. Thanks for articulating what so many of us feel but struggle to name.
Insightful read
Thank you for sharing, very inspiring
I’m living this at the moment. I have three projects going, mostly platforms, and I know they won’t ramp overnight. I’m trying to stay intentional and give them time without drifting.
Unless you’re already financially secure, that phase is often unavoidable. You still need income to live, support a family, stay grounded. It is stressful, but sometimes it’s necessary.
What matters isn’t avoiding it entirely, but being honest about it. Knowing why you’re there, what that time is buying you, and what would signal a real next step. The danger isn’t moving slowly — it’s drifting without intention.
You can post it exactly like this with confidence.
It adds nuance, reflects lived experience, and complements the article rather than arguing with it.
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Thanks for sharing.
I went through this exact phase.
I kept adding tools and steps, thinking the funnel would “click” eventually.
The real shift for me was stopping and asking: what actually needs fixing first?
Curious — what part feels the most overbuilt right now?
Hey we just build a new learning platform called Microswab it's a platform where you learn life changing skills online for free. You earn passive income monthly by learning skills, around $700 to $3K monthly just by learning valuable skills online if you are interested here's the platform link Copy the link and Google it
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This “five-foot zone” metaphor is painfully accurate.
The half-in state is more exhausting than either full commitment or cleanly walking away. You’re not conserving energy — you’re leaking it through constant context switching, self-justification, and fear management.
What resonated most is the idea that going all in isn’t just quitting a job — it’s giving up the psychological escape hatch of “this didn’t really count.” That’s the part most people underestimate.
Appreciate you putting words to a place a lot of builders sit in quietly.
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Good piece! Would love to know how the marketing side works
Hey we just build a new learning platform called Microswab it's a platform where you learn life changing skills online for free. You earn passive income monthly by learning skills, around $700 to $3K monthly just by learning valuable skills online if you are interested here's the platform link Copy the link and Google it
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I've been a part-time entrepreneur for many years, and even had a 12x 7-figure exit about 15 years ago with a side hustle, but my latest venture is the one that feels "real" to me. I've gone all-in with the build, launch, marketing plan, etc, and even have a few customers in the segments I am targeting. Thankfully, I had some outside friends & family funding that got me to this point (plus a lot of my own money), but it is still a side-hustle, as I work full time to pay the mortgage. I am struggling to make the leap to make this full time because I've hit the money wall. How do you get over that hump? I've had several intro calls with angel investors, but nothing so far. Guerrilla marketing can only get you so far and I feel like I am there. Any advice you can provide?
Hey we just build a new learning platform called Microswab it's a platform where you learn life changing skills online for free. You earn passive income monthly by learning skills, around $700 to $3K monthly just by learning valuable skills online if you are interested here's the platform link Copy the link and Google it
microswab.netlify.
Add this at the ending of the Link (app) so it looks like .app
This resonates a lot. I’ve seen the same thing happen early on.
Hey we just build a new learning platform called Microswab it's a platform where you learn life changing skills online for free. You earn passive income monthly by learning skills, around $700 to $3K monthly just by learning valuable skills online if you are interested here's the platform link Copy the link and Google it
microswab.netlify.
Add this at the ending of the Link (app) so it looks like .app
This hits home. The "five-foot zone" is exactly where I’ve been sitting with my current project.
In my niche — the secondary auto market — I see people every day who take a literal "leap" by spending their life savings on a car, only to find out they bought a "legal corpse" (a non-repairable wreck). Seeing their "2 a.m. spiral" when they realize their investment is gone is what pushed me to finally commit to building a platform to protect them.
But you’re right, the hardest part isn't the building — it's the mental shift. For months, I told myself I was "researching" or "gathering data" when I was actually just terrified of putting my name on a project that might fail publicly in such a "shady" and difficult niche.
Leaving the bottom of the pool is terrifying because, in the world of car scams, you're not just fighting code or markets; you're fighting bad actors. Your post reminded me that the "quiet drain" of half-committing is actually more exhausting than the risk of the swim itself.
Thanks for the push. It’s good to know we’re not swimming alone.
P.S. Checking out your Substack now!
Hey we just build a new learning platform called Microswab it's a platform where you learn life changing skills online for free. You earn passive income monthly by learning skills, around $700 to $3K monthly just by learning valuable skills online if you are interested here's the platform link Copy the link and Google it
microswab.netlify.
Add this at the ending of the Link (app) so it looks like .app
Sharing a little indie hacker struggle here: I was totally lost when I first started building tools in this niche. I’ve been grinding away, making progress bit by bit, but I still feel like I’m lagging behind others.
I launched CurveText because I thought curved text tools were super cool and underrated. Lately though, the industry’s been stuck in a rut, and I’ve been second-guessing my original decision hard.
Then I read your post — it’s exactly the motivation I needed. Feeling hopeful again! Has anyone else here faced similar doubts when building a niche tool?
Hey we just build a new learning platform called Microswab it's a platform where you learn life changing skills online for free. You earn passive income monthly by learning skills, around $700 to $3K monthly just by learning valuable skills online if you are interested here's the platform link Copy the link and Google it
microswab.netlify.
Add this at the ending of the Link (app) so it looks like .app
I visited you project
Maybe someone will like it
Its looks high quality
This really resonates.
The idea that half-commitment creates more exhaustion than clarity is something I’ve felt firsthand while working on an early-stage B2B product.
Curious if you’ve found any practical ways to recognize when it’s time to fully commit — or consciously step back.
Hey we just build a new learning platform called Microswab it's a platform where you learn life changing skills online for free. You earn passive income monthly by learning skills, around $700 to $3K monthly just by learning valuable skills online if you are interested here's the platform link Copy the link and Google it
microswab.netlify.
Add this at the ending of the Link (app) so it looks like .app
How excited am I? Do I have a butt load of ruminating thoughts about it?
Now that the product is finally built, the next critical step is marketing and growth. Without traffic for a long time, motivation can quickly fade.
Hey we just build a new learning platform called Microswab it's a platform where you learn life changing skills online for free. You earn passive income monthly by learning skills, around $700 to $3K monthly just by learning valuable skills online if you are interested here's the platform link Copy the link and Google it
microswab.netlify.
Add this at the ending of the Link (app) so it looks like .app
Design > Marketing > Product
100% that’s such a hard part and super easy to feel like ur not making progress
The five-foot zone hits because it’s not just about time - it’s about decision friction. What really breaks it is creating forced constraints: a launch date, a minimum viable test, or a specific metric you must hit. Once you define that, the “half-in” space disappears - you either move forward or pivot fast. Sharing early and iterating publicly also compresses the feedback loop, so the fear of failure becomes actionable data instead of mental paralysis.
spot on girl <3
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If you’re tired of manual digging and want to catch those conversations early, I’d really recommend giving it a look.
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Website:
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Yes! Exactly this
Hey we just build a new learning platform called Microswab it's a platform where you learn life changing skills online for free. You earn passive income monthly by learning skills, around $700 to $3K monthly just by learning valuable skills online if you are interested here's the platform link Copy the link and Google it
microswab.netlify.
Add this at the ending of the Link (app) so it looks like .app
Give a try to my Reddit Extension. It's a Chrome extension called Pulse of Reddit that basically acts like my own alert system for Reddit.
Anytime someone posts something with keywords I care about like 'looking for a designer' or 'best SEO tool' it pings me right away. It’s saved me so much time and helped me hop into threads while they’re still fresh.
If you’re tired of manual digging and want to catch those conversations early, I’d really recommend giving it a look.
It’s free to start and super simple to set up.
Website:
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Extremely insightful read, and I learned a great deal from it.
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This resonates deeply. You’ve perfectly described what I call the 'Limbo of Half-Commitment' in my book, Start Up Inferno.
In my years as a mentor, I’ve seen that this 'five-foot zone' is actually more dangerous than the deep water. Why? Because it’s a slow burn. It doesn't kill you instantly; it just drains your energy until you have nothing left for the actual leap.
The fear you mentioned, giving everything and coming up empty, is usually fed by a lack of a brutal validation framework. When you don't have a clear 'grill' to test your idea, every step feels like a gamble rather than a calculated risk.
For example, when I work with founders on hardware/software projects, I use a 'Survival vs Luxury' table. It forces you to stop 'planning' (which is often just a form of hiding) and start 'validating' with the bare minimum.
Committing 'not just on git' means committing to the truth of your data, even if it tells you to pivot.
To anyone standing on their tiptoes: What is the ONE piece of data that would make you feel safe enough to swim?"
Very nice read.
I believe keeping it simple & consistent works wonders.
Hey we just build a new learning platform called Microswab it's a platform where you learn life changing skills online for free. You earn passive income monthly by learning skills, around $700 to $3K monthly just by learning valuable skills online if you are interested here's the platform link Copy the link and Google it
microswab.netlify.
Add this at the ending of the Link (app) so it looks like .app
This description is painfully accurate.
That “in between” state is often more draining
than either committing fully or walking away.
Hey we just build a new learning platform called Microswab it's a platform where you learn life changing skills online for free. You earn passive income monthly by learning skills, around $700 to $3K monthly just by learning valuable skills online if you are interested here's the platform link Copy the link and Google it
microswab.netlify.
Add this at the ending of the Link (app) so it looks like .app
Very nice To Read
Hey we just build a new learning platform called Microswab it's a platform where you learn life changing skills online for free. You earn passive income monthly by learning skills, around $700 to $3K monthly just by learning valuable skills online if you are interested here's the platform link Copy the link and Google it
microswab.netlify.
Add this at the ending of the Link (app) so it looks like .app
Strong metaphor. Accurate failure mode.
One nuance I’d add: the five-foot zone is not just fear. It’s often mispriced optionality. People keep a job + side project thinking they preserve options, but they silently tax focus, energy, and identity. The option decays faster than they notice.
The real decision isn’t quit vs commit. It’s set a clear kill or dive date. No infinite wading.
Appreciated the honesty here. Especially the part about quitting not removing fear, only changing its shape.
Hey we just build a new learning platform called Microswab it's a platform where you learn life changing skills online for free. You earn passive income monthly by learning skills, around $700 to $3K monthly just by learning valuable skills online if you are interested here's the platform link Copy the link and Google it
microswab.netlify.
Add this at the ending of the Link (app) so it looks like .app
Very nice, resonates a lot
Hey we just build a new learning platform called Microswab it's a platform where you learn life changing skills online for free. You earn passive income monthly by learning skills, around $700 to $3K monthly just by learning valuable skills online if you are interested here's the platform link Copy the link and Google it
microswab.netlify.
Add this at the ending of the Link (app) so it looks like .app
Nicely expressed the situation many of us are in. I call it half-clutch driving.
Hey we just build a new learning platform called Microswab it's a platform where you learn life changing skills online for free. You earn passive income monthly by learning skills, around $700 to $3K monthly just by learning valuable skills online if you are interested here's the platform link Copy the link and Google it
microswab.netlify.
Add this at the ending of the Link (app) so it looks like .app
Nice information
Hey we just build a new learning platform called Microswab it's a platform where you learn life changing skills online for free. You earn passive income monthly by learning skills, around $700 to $3K monthly just by learning valuable skills online if you are interested here's the platform link Copy the link and Google it
microswab.netlify.
Add this at the ending of the Link (app) so it looks like .app
Wow, this really resonates with me.
The five-foot zone metaphor is spot on — I’ve been there, too. That constant tension of standing on tiptoes, trying to stay safe but feeling drained by the lack of full commitment. It’s like being stuck in an in-between space where you’re neither fully in nor fully out, and the mental exhaustion of it can be overwhelming.
Starting something new, especially when you’re leaving behind a stable job, is terrifying. The fear of failure is one thing, but the fear of giving everything and still not getting the result you hoped for is a whole different kind of weight. The constant cycle of "not yet" — waiting for the right moment to jump or fully commit — is what really wears you down.
But I love your point about how important it is to have people who are there for you, even when things feel uncertain. Knowing you're not really alone in the struggle makes a huge difference. It’s those moments of connection with others that remind you that even when the water feels cold and deep, you can still survive the swim.
I think the key takeaway here is that waiting for the perfect moment might keep us safe, but it also keeps us stuck. At some point, we have to commit. Not just with plans or thoughts, but with our actions. It’s scary, but as you said, knowing you’re not alone — that there are people who’ve made the leap and can help guide you — can make the unknown a bit more manageable.
Thank you for sharing your journey. It’s so real, and I believe a lot of us can relate to this feeling of standing on our tiptoes, trying to decide what’s next.
hmmmmm
Just open sourced a dating platform under a custom OSI-compatible license (CPL-1.0) — would love feedback on the license itself
I just open sourced **CompanioNation** (github/CompanioNation/Core) a free dating platform built to challenge the extractive monopolies currently dominating online dating.
The project aims to ensure at least one viable dating platform remains permanently free, without artificial scarcity (limited likes/swipes), dark patterns, paywalls on basic human interaction, or algorithmic manipulation designed to extract money rather than foster genuine connection.
I'm releasing this under a **custom permissive license called CPL-1.0** (CompanioNation Public License), which I designed to be OSI-compatible while explicitly encouraging forks, independent deployments, and alternative interpretations.
**Here's where I'd love feedback from experienced open source folks:**
1. **Custom license concerns**: I created CPL-1.0 as a permissive license that allows commercial/SaaS use, includes explicit patent grants, and preserves attribution without imposing control. But is creating a custom license more trouble than it's worth? Should I have just used Apache 2.0 or MIT instead? I wanted something that explicitly **encourages plurality and competition** rather than just allowing it.
2. **Governance for a "competitive ecosystem" project**: Most open source projects aim for a single canonical implementation. This project explicitly wants to spawn competitors and alternatives. How do you structure governance/community when your stated goal is to encourage forks and divergence rather than convergence?
3. **No CONTRIBUTING .md yet**: I don't have formal contribution guidelines yet. For a project that's philosophically about decentralization and plurality, should contribution guidelines even try to enforce consistency, or should they lean into encouraging experimentation?
4. **Tech stack concerns**: It's built on .NET/Blazor WebAssembly with SQL Server (SSDT) and Azurite for local development. I know the Microsoft stack isn't the typical FOSS choice. Does this create real barriers for open source contributors, or is it fine as long as the setup is well-documented?
The README mentions plans for local community events and offline meetups branded under CompanioNation. I'm curious if anyone has experience with open source projects that bridge digital platforms and real-world community organizing.
**Tech stack**: C# / .NET / Blazor WASM / SQL Server / Azurite
**Auth**: Google OAuth
**License**: CPL-1.0 (custom permissive)
Would genuinely appreciate any feedback — especially on the licensing decision and whether a custom license helps or hurts the goals here.
--- footnote ---
Btw since I'm an independent developer who threatens corporate profits I've been targeted for organized harassment which has resulted in negative Karma on Reddit and my inability to post this to r/opensource so if anyone could post it there I'd appreciate it.
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This was a great read. I like how you focused on small, practical improvements instead of trying to do everything at once. It’s a good reminder to stay close to the real problem.
This really resonates. The “five-foot zone” is such an accurate way to describe that half-in, half-out state — it feels safe, but it quietly drains you. What stood out most is that commitment isn’t just about quitting a job or shipping a product, it’s about letting go of the escape hatch.
I also appreciate the reminder that going all-in doesn’t mean going alone. Having people on the deck — even if they can’t swim for you — makes the leap survivable. Thoughtful, honest piece.
This really nailed how being half committed can quietly sap your energy. That in between space where you are technically working on something but never fully diving in feels eerily familiar, because you are never fully resting and it ends up being more exhausting than actually building.
I appreciate the honesty around how fear of failure and over planning instead of shipping keeps a lot of people stuck there. The reminder that the discomfort of committing is different from the slow drain of limbo really resonates, and that sometimes choosing a direction matters more than choosing the perfect one. It also highlights how helpful community can be once you decide to go for it, since seeing others swim makes the leap feel far less daunting.
This resonated big time — that five‑foot zone limbo is one of the hardest places to be as a founder. It’s that half‑committed space where you’re not quite shipping, not quite learning through action, but definitely feeling the mental weight of both sides.
What you describe — planning instead of building, telling yourself you’re being strategic when you’re really holding back — is something I see again and again in early startups. There’s a subtle but critical shift that happens when you go from hopeful research into validated momentum: you stop worrying about perfection and start focusing on real user feedback. That’s where clarity, confidence, and traction start to compound.
I also love how you called out the emotional overlay — it’s not just fear of failure, it’s the fear of publicly choosing something that might not work. That psychological friction keeps a lot of great ideas stuck in the shallows.
Curious — what first small signal would make you feel like you’ve moved out of the five‑foot zone and into real momentum? Is it weekly active users, paying customers, or simply shipping consistently?
If you ever want another perspective on those early momentum signals (and how to interpret them as real progress, not luck), I’d be glad to chat — these are the exact inflection points where founders go from questioning to building with confidence.
Really insightful read — I think many builders can relate to hovering in that ‘five-foot zone’ between comfort and commitment. It reminded me how important it is to turn ideas into action rather than just planning indefinitely. Everyone has different pace and balance, but taking that next step is often what really leads to progress.
On a related note, when I’m planning visits to restaurants or outings to get work done, I usually check menus online with full details like updated prices, calories, nutrition info, hours, drink offerings, and locations first — it saves time and makes decisions easier. A site like https://firebrdmenu.com/ has been really helpful for exploring this kind of info.
I was sitting there feeling completely disappointed that my project was going in the wrong direction, and on top of that, my client had postponed the payment date for my work.
I was in a terrible mood, but after reading your article, I felt a little more cheerful and became more confident that what I was doing would bring me, if not a monetary solution, then at least inner satisfaction that I had done something myself.
I am jumping into the abyss and continuing to search for answers.
Really insightful read — I think many builders can relate to hovering in that ‘five-foot zone’ between comfort and commitment. It reminded me how important it is to turn ideas into action rather than just planning indefinitely. Everyone has different pace and balance, but taking that next step is often what really leads to progress.
On a related note, when I’m planning visits to restaurants or outings to get work done, I usually check menus online with full details like updated prices, calories, nutrition info, hours, drink offerings, and locations first — it saves time and makes decisions easier. A site like has been really helpful for exploring this kind of info.
Really thoughtful post! I completely agree that taking action is what turns ideas into real progress — planning alone can only take us so far. Similarly, just like checking detailed info about restaurants online saves time and helps make decisions, platforms like Dixmax make discovering movies and series effortless, giving users a smooth way to explore entertainment and enjoy content without any hassle
Wow, this really hit home for me. The "five-foot zone" is such a perfect description of that weird, exhausting place where you’re not really committed but not fully stepping away either. It’s like you’re stuck in this constant state of limbo, trying to juggle both the comfort of your current situation and the fear of diving into something unknown
Yeah this is exactly what it feels like.
That “five feet deep” part is such a perfect way to describe it because it’s just constant tension. Like you’re technically okay but you’re never relaxed. And after a while it starts wrecking you.
Also the part about planning forever instead of building is too real. It’s so easy to tell yourself you’re being “smart” when really you’re just trying to avoid the moment where you have to find out if it works or not.
And honestly this applies to anything you’re building, whether it’s a nonprofit, a startup, or something specific like AI home health software where you’re trying to fix a real-world problem and it still feels risky putting it out there.
The in-between really is the worst part. Because it slowly drains you and you don’t even notice until you’re exhausted.
This hit hard.The “five-foot zone” perfectly captures that exhausting half-in state where you’re busy but not moving. Planning feels productive, but it’s often just fear in disguise. Appreciate the honesty in this especially the reminder that staying put has a real cost too.
This metaphor is painfully accurate.
The five-foot zone feels safe, but it quietly drains you — commitment, in either direction, is the only relief.
The identity piece rings true. It's easier to stay in planning mode because "I'm thinking about starting something" feels safer than "I shipped this and here's how it's going."
Curious - for those who made the leap, was it a single moment or a gradual shift?
For me I had to dive in. But I did kinda start and stop several things before landing on ShareVita.org
Can't agree more, I've been very uncomfortable posting publicly and have kept pushing doing it. Well I dove in this week and it turns out its really not that bad. Plus it gives me something to do while claude is running.
I am currently in the five-foot zone and have been for over six months, but I will keep at it
Don’t give up!
Give a try to my Reddit Extension. It's a Chrome extension called Pulse of Reddit that basically acts like my own alert system for Reddit.
Anytime someone posts something with keywords I care about like 'looking for a designer' or 'best SEO tool' it pings me right away. It’s saved me so much time and helped me hop into threads while they’re still fresh.
If you’re tired of manual digging and want to catch those conversations early, I’d really recommend giving it a look.
It’s free to start and super simple to set up.
Website:
pulseofreddit.com
Give a try to my Reddit Extension. It's a Chrome extension called Pulse of Reddit that basically acts like my own alert system for Reddit.
Anytime someone posts something with keywords I care about like 'looking for a designer' or 'best SEO tool' it pings me right away. It’s saved me so much time and helped me hop into threads while they’re still fresh.
If you’re tired of manual digging and want to catch those conversations early, I’d really recommend giving it a look.
It’s free to start and super simple to set up.
Website:
pulseofreddit.com
That's a very nice metaphor. Thanks for this, food for thought.
I'm hoping that when I do launch, the sales or lack thereof will make it obvious whether or not fearlessly plunging into the deep end is the right call to make.
Give a try to my Reddit Extension. It's a Chrome extension called Pulse of Reddit that basically acts like my own alert system for Reddit.
Anytime someone posts something with keywords I care about like 'looking for a designer' or 'best SEO tool' it pings me right away. It’s saved me so much time and helped me hop into threads while they’re still fresh.
If you’re tired of manual digging and want to catch those conversations early, I’d really recommend giving it a look.
It’s free to start and super simple to set up.
Website:
pulseofreddit.com
Thanks for sharing this.
Give a try to my Reddit Extension. It's a Chrome extension called Pulse of Reddit that basically acts like my own alert system for Reddit.
Anytime someone posts something with keywords I care about like 'looking for a designer' or 'best SEO tool' it pings me right away. It’s saved me so much time and helped me hop into threads while they’re still fresh.
If you’re tired of manual digging and want to catch those conversations early, I’d really recommend giving it a look.
It’s free to start and super simple to set up.
Website:
pulseofreddit.com
ai
Give a try to my Reddit Extension. It's a Chrome extension called Pulse of Reddit that basically acts like my own alert system for Reddit.
Anytime someone posts something with keywords I care about like 'looking for a designer' or 'best SEO tool' it pings me right away. It’s saved me so much time and helped me hop into threads while they’re still fresh.
If you’re tired of manual digging and want to catch those conversations early, I’d really recommend giving it a look.
It’s free to start and super simple to set up.
Website:
pulseofreddit.com
gggo
This hit close to home. The five-foot zone description is spot on. I’ve been in that half-in state too, and honestly it felt more draining than either committing or letting go. You’re never fully relaxed because part of your brain is always keeping an exit open.
Thanks for putting words to this. I think a lot of people sit in that space longer than they admit.
Great Insights Ville!
Give a try to my Reddit Extension. It's a Chrome extension called Pulse of Reddit that basically acts like my own alert system for Reddit.
Anytime someone posts something with keywords I care about like 'looking for a designer' or 'best SEO tool' it pings me right away. It’s saved me so much time and helped me hop into threads while they’re still fresh.
If you’re tired of manual digging and want to catch those conversations early, I’d really recommend giving it a look.
It’s free to start and super simple to set up.
Website:
pulseofreddit.com
Really resonates ,it captures that strange place where you feel productive but aren’t actually shipping. I’ve found that sharing something small but real (like a dataset or tiny tool) often pushes you out of that zone faster. Thanks for writing this!
Great Insights Vinod!
Give a try to my Reddit Extension. It's a Chrome extension called Pulse of Reddit that basically acts like my own alert system for Reddit.
Anytime someone posts something with keywords I care about like 'looking for a designer' or 'best SEO tool' it pings me right away. It’s saved me so much time and helped me hop into threads while they’re still fresh.
If you’re tired of manual digging and want to catch those conversations early, I’d really recommend giving it a look.
It’s free to start and super simple to set up.
Website:
pulseofreddit.com
Great post! Thanks. I was just having this conversation with myself this week just after launching and I start thinking of other ideas etc when the fear creeps in (maybe I should do that "other" idea instead). Ideas are never a problem, its that commitment to the one idea and fighting through that fear and executing. Its comforting to to know at least I am not alone in feeling that way.
Great Insights Johnston!
Give a try to my Reddit Extension. It's a Chrome extension called Pulse of Reddit that basically acts like my own alert system for Reddit.
Anytime someone posts something with keywords I care about like 'looking for a designer' or 'best SEO tool' it pings me right away. It’s saved me so much time and helped me hop into threads while they’re still fresh.
If you’re tired of manual digging and want to catch those conversations early, I’d really recommend giving it a look.
It’s free to start and super simple to set up.
Website:
pulseofreddit.com
totally resonated with this!
as an aspiring indiehacker trying to become financially free and create some recurring revenue with side projects all while working a 9-5. its like working 2 jobs. but it's also probably the best decision. if the 9-5 is also something you enjoy it's a win win. If you're still learning from your 9-5 why not do that as well and balance the side project.
remind your self any time working on your side project is a step closer and is a bonus to your day in my book.
Give a try to my Reddit Extension. It's a Chrome extension called Pulse of Reddit that basically acts like my own alert system for Reddit.
Anytime someone posts something with keywords I care about like 'looking for a designer' or 'best SEO tool' it pings me right away. It’s saved me so much time and helped me hop into threads while they’re still fresh.
If you’re tired of manual digging and want to catch those conversations early, I’d really recommend giving it a look.
It’s free to start and super simple to set up.
Website:
pulseofreddit.com
This hit hard.
The five-foot zone is the most exhausting place, it feels safe, but it slowly drains you.
Commitment isn’t about certainty. It’s about deciding you’d rather know than wonder.
Appreciate you putting words to a place so many founders are standing in quietly.
Great Insights!
Give a try to my Reddit Extension. It's a Chrome extension called Pulse of Reddit that basically acts like my own alert system for Reddit.
Anytime someone posts something with keywords I care about like 'looking for a designer' or 'best SEO tool' it pings me right away. It’s saved me so much time and helped me hop into threads while they’re still fresh.
If you’re tired of manual digging and want to catch those conversations early, I’d really recommend giving it a look.
It’s free to start and super simple to set up.
Website:
pulseofreddit.com
This metaphor really landed for me. The “five-foot zone” captures that quiet exhaustion that doesn’t look dramatic from the outside, but drains you over time. I’ve been in that space too — telling myself I was being patient or strategic, when honestly I was just afraid to fully choose.
What resonated most was how staying there feels safe, but costs more than we admit. The tiredness isn’t from the work itself, it’s from holding two identities at once.
Thanks for putting language to something a lot of us feel but rarely articulate this clearly.
Give a try to my Reddit Extension. It's a Chrome extension called Pulse of Reddit that basically acts like my own alert system for Reddit.
Anytime someone posts something with keywords I care about like 'looking for a designer' or 'best SEO tool' it pings me right away. It’s saved me so much time and helped me hop into threads while they’re still fresh.
If you’re tired of manual digging and want to catch those conversations early, I’d really recommend giving it a look.
It’s free to start and super simple to set up.
Website:
pulseofreddit.com
thanks <3 Its great hearing you get me lol
Glad it resonated! Your post put words to something a lot of us feel but don’t say out loud.
This really resonates. Most of my anxiety as a builder disappears when I stop thinking about “the whole journey” and focus on what’s actually in reach right now.
The hard part isn’t lack of ambition — it’s respecting the five-foot zone consistently, even when the bigger picture is noisy.
Great Insights Mesum!
Give a try to my Reddit Extension. It's a Chrome extension called Pulse of Reddit that basically acts like my own alert system for Reddit.
Anytime someone posts something with keywords I care about like 'looking for a designer' or 'best SEO tool' it pings me right away. It’s saved me so much time and helped me hop into threads while they’re still fresh.
If you’re tired of manual digging and want to catch those conversations early, I’d really recommend giving it a look.
It’s free to start and super simple to set up.
Website:
pulseofreddit.com
exactly :)
Give a try to my Reddit Extension. It's a Chrome extension called Pulse of Reddit that basically acts like my own alert system for Reddit.
Anytime someone posts something with keywords I care about like 'looking for a designer' or 'best SEO tool' it pings me right away. It’s saved me so much time and helped me hop into threads while they’re still fresh.
If you’re tired of manual digging and want to catch those conversations early, I’d really recommend giving it a look.
It’s free to start and super simple to set up.
Website:
pulseofreddit.com
Thanks for sharing! I totally agree—taking action is way more important than just thinking about it. You figure out so much just by getting your hands dirty.
Give a try to my Reddit Extension. It's a Chrome extension called Pulse of Reddit that basically acts like my own alert system for Reddit.
Anytime someone posts something with keywords I care about like 'looking for a designer' or 'best SEO tool' it pings me right away. It’s saved me so much time and helped me hop into threads while they’re still fresh.
If you’re tired of manual digging and want to catch those conversations early, I’d really recommend giving it a look.
It’s free to start and super simple to set up.
Website:
pulseofreddit.com
im glad this resonated with you :)
This comment was deleted 13 days ago