ALL startup founders go through this (similar) stage. You are not alone! I know many founders personally who have experienced this and I have noticed this a recurring theme in many startup stories I have read… I have personally come very close to burnout / depression, but was lucky / fortunate to have come across people and resources that helped me manage it.

You are experience a Dip. You might be able to get out of this mode / phase fairly quickly, if you “change your perspective” on life. As a founder in a startup, you have to worry about a lot of things and most of the time you are doing this alone, at least until you find a good co-founder. Even with co-founders, it sometimes feels extremely lonely and depressing, especially when things slow down or grind to a halt.

Here are some tips & tricks:

1. There is nothing wrong with your situation. You are not alone. Almost every startup founder goes through this. Push through it, you will come out a stronger founder. Keep saying this to yourself as a mantra: “This is just part of the startup grind. You are stronger than this, you can push through this, you are going to make it!”

2. Keep in mind that eventually when your team grows from one to many, and the company experiences another dip like this one, you will have first hand knowledge on how some of your teammates might be feeling and you will be able to guide them out of it. So, think of this as an opportunity to learn.

3. Ask for help. There is nothing wrong in opening up to close friends and family about this. Try to make friends who are in other startup companies. (big small or just getting started… they will be able to relate to your situation and sympathize with you much better than friends or family who have no clue about how startups work / how startups are created)

4. Read books. (at least one every week) Biographies and business books that dive into startups. This is a great way to ground yourself in reality and see that you are not alone, many founders before you have gone through similar phases.

5. Take a break- do something that stimulates your mind positively. This is very different for everyone. Try to cultivate a new hobby or learn a new skill. Something different from your project.

6. Change in environment (location, people and problems) might be all you need. Try working from a library or coffee shop for a couple hours a day. Go to meetups or other startup events… see if you can find a startup co-working space. Try to help others, listen to their problems. I have personally noticed that when I help others solve their problems, I sometimes end up realizing solutions for my own…

7. Exercise, sun and fresh air. Go on a long walk / jog / bike outside (preferably in the morning) Listen to the wind and birds, take in the fresh morning air.

8. Meditate. This really helps me clear out the “noise”. Try to meditate at least 20 minutes a day. Focus on the process of pushing away thoughts. Once you get a hang of how you can “push away” thoughts and noise, apply that technique when you start feeling like things are getting “out of hand” or when your brain gets foggy / mope.

9. Break the problem into bite size chunks and CELEBRATE every time you successfully solve a bite of the problem. Having a sense of progress goes a looong way in keeping the motivation levels high. Track your progress and award yourself for hitting goals. You have to win many battles to win the war. Don't try to fight them all at once. Live to fight another day. You are in a marathon and not a sprint. So take it slow and steady. knock out one part of the problem at a time and before you know it you will have momentum again!!

Good luck! (May the force be with you!)