What to do when you’re overwhelmed running your business alone

There’s a different kind of pressure when you’re the one carrying the whole vision.

Not just the creative.Not just the deliverables.But the systems, the schedule, the inbox, the finances, the execution, and everything in between.

When I started JOA Creative Lab, I was the only one behind the scenes. I wasn’t just designing brands, I was figuring out backend tech, writing emails, building workflows, responding to DMs, and fixing whatever broke in real time. And while I was grateful to be building something with purpose, I’d be lying if I said the weight didn’t wear on me.

Solopreneur overwhelm is real. Not because you’re not capable, but because you're human. And when everything depends on you, even small things start to feel heavy. If you're there right now, stretched thin, showing up anyway, wondering how long you can keep going like this, here’s what helped me keep building without burning out.

What Helped Me Survive Solopreneur Overwhelm

1. I stopped pretending I was a whole agency.

It took time, but I eventually stopped measuring my pace against people who had full teams, copywriters, assistants, and videographers. I set real boundaries around my workload. I shortened my project waitlist instead of overbooking. I simplified my service menu. And I let people know upfront what turnaround times looked like. Clarity gave me peace and helped clients trust the process more, too.

2. I built simple systems, even if they weren’t fancy.

When you're doing everything yourself, systems become your silent team. I started using Flodesk to automate email sequences and HoneyBook to manage client onboarding. But one of the biggest time-savers for me? Templates. Whether it was duplicating a proposal, reusing a brand presentation format, or working from a website layout I’d already built, it cut my workload in half.

I realized I was spending so much time reinventing things I could’ve easily streamlined. That shift didn’t just save me hours each week; it gave me margin. And that’s a big part of why I started selling templates through JOA. I knew other creatives and founders needed that same shortcut. Templates let you show up professionally, without burning out in the backend.

3. I chose momentum over perfection.

For the longest time, I delayed launching a product because the sales page didn’t “look right.” I eventually launched it with what I had, and it still sold. That moment taught me: your audience is looking for value, not flawless design. I stopped waiting for things to be perfect and started shipping when they were clear and helpful. Now, I update and refine after launch, not before.

4. I stopped tying my worth to outcomes.

There were moments where I poured everything into something and didn’t get the response I hoped for. Not because it wasn’t good, but because that’s just part of business. I had to separate the value of what I created from how quickly people responded to it. Some things took time to gain traction. Some things taught me more than they earned. But either way, I had to stop letting numbers dictate my confidence. I focused on showing up with integrity, doing the work, refining the offer, and learning as I went. That became the real win.

5. I stayed submitted to the bigger vision, even when it felt quiet.

There were days I questioned everything, especially when growth felt slow. But I had to ask myself, "Was this just a good idea, or was this a *God* idea?" That question kept me anchored. When I stopped obsessing over quick results and started trusting that I was on assignment, the pressure shifted. I wasn’t just working, I was partnering. That changed everything.

Solopreneur seasons can be heavy, but they can also be the most defining. You’ll look back on this stretch and realize it built a level of grit, wisdom, and spiritual clarity that nothing else could’ve taught you.

So don’t underestimate the progress happening beneath the surface. Even if it’s just you right now, you’re not building alone.