How To Deal With So Much Stress

How do you deal with stress in a startup?

For me at least, 3 things made a material impact:Add an “ex-post facto co-founder” and/or upgrade the management team. In my first start-up, my co-founder and I met for 20 minutes at the end of every single day, and had lunch as often as we could. 50% of this was just dealing with stress and unscripted issues. It helped each of us so much.In my second start-up, I found this help more in my management team. Find at least one person on the team, later, that can share at least some of the burden with you. That cares so much about the company, that she can carry some of the stress as well. Find two like this — then they’ll really help carry you to the next level.And sometimes, one of these additions to your management team can take on so much of the burden, she becomes like an after-the-fact co-founder.Get to cash-flow positive. At EchoSign, we hit cash flow positive around $6m in ARR. One could argue if it was the “right” play or not — by staying that way, arguably, we underinvested in the business. But. It way de-stressed my life, to not have to worry about raising money ever again.At least having the option here, at least being “cash flow break never”, can dramatically de-stress things.Don’t look to your family, after the early days. This will lead to less stress. This may sound counterintuitive, but it isn’t. Your family can only deal with so much. You can lean on them a lot in the first 6 months. Share all your fears, your worries, your stress. But after that, let them off the hook. Don’t burden them with your stress after the initial starting up period. They won’t be able to handle it forever — no one can — and if you try to use them to help you, it will create a negative feedback loop.

I can't deal with the stress and anxiety anymore. It's too much and it's getting worse. What should I do?

Hey, you aren’t alone. You are not the only person feeling this or going through this.I’ve been there and I’m there now.(I’m writing anonymously because I have co-workers on Quora.)For me, medication didn’t work at first. I had to go through like 5 different kinds, and then different doses of each to figure out what would help me with anxiety. I take three different pills now. Geesh, it seems like a lot, but there’s a big difference between my before and after, I’m much better on the meds.And I see a therapist weekly. And I talk to trusted friends, if I can…but not always can I share what I’m feeling with others that know me, I worry it’s too much for them to hear or handle.So, I try other things like…write my feelings, read blogs, read sites like Quora, play solitaire on my iphone, draw and scribble, scream and cry, take walks and long showers, pet my dog and watch netflix series…I guess there is no one answer. I have to do many things, and each day, sometimes each minute I try to do something…there is no one thing that makes me feel better.I don’t think about suicide as much now. It still crosses my mind when things get rough. Like if I blow up and yell at a friend - that makes me feel like the worst piece of shit, and then I think how much better their life would be if I wasn’t around. And then, I get over it and remember that they aren’t perfect either, no one is.So, for me it’s not just what I feel, it’s also what I say, or how I didn’t do something or how I feel like I hurt someone or how I did something dumb or wrong in the past...My trigger is guilt and shame. I don’t know what triggers you, do you know?No day is all rainbows and sunshine. Some days are pretty near perfect - and not as often are the shit days… But one thing is certain, no matter what you are fighting, you are not alone. Everyone is fighting, EVERYONE. Some people are better at smoothing out their cracks than others…don’t let them fool you.I’m glad you wrote this question. Keep asking, and get specific…what caused you to feel this way right now? Did someone say something, or not do something you wished…whatever it is that made you come here to write, focus on that thing that started this feeling, and then dig deeper - look that up on Quora. Like, “why is being friends with my ex so damn hard?”You are not alone. I feel this way, too. And, hey, we found each other here, we have something in common.Hello new friend! <<>>

How do I deal with parents who are creating so much stress for me and exaggerate every simple thing I do into a big problem?

Going forward under the assumption you are correct in your assessment of your situation - I would suggest talking to them, or, if you can’t do that without it becoming another argument- try writing a NICE note about your feelings…THAT SAID:From the way you worded this- it sounds MORE like you are going through what at least HALF of all teens go through…It’s called Puberty and growing up.It’s difficult for you AND your parents when your moods swing all over the place due to your changing bio-chemistry… and they may not be “exaggerating” everything you do- YOU may be misinterpreting what is going on because it is a communication problem.Get someone to mediate— like the school counselor or a Family Member (Grandma? An Aunt?) Talk to them 1st about what is going on.. then ask if they will sit with you and your folks to talk about it.That way- it is someone who hears BOTH sides and will act like a referee…Communication is KEY… you SHOULD be able to go to your parents with ANY problem.. and feel comfortable talking to them.. if not… get some help!Family is important— and we don’t have them around forever!Make your relationship a good one!

How can I stop women from causing me so much stress?

Anne and Stephen seem to have it right and two things.What do your female family members tell you, specifically? (By the way it might not, and one reason you relate differently to family and other females might be that you you’re gay but haven’t realized that!)Take a few hours to write a very long description of everything about women you think is causing you stress… 500 words at least; preferably a lot more. Leave that to stew for at least 48 hours then check whether you left anything out. Leave it again, then come back and re-write it, changing only the grammar.Wherever you had written ‘she’ or ‘they’ change that to ‘I’ and make no other changes except to match the rest of the wording… ‘They are never consistent with themselves…’ should then become ‘I am never consistent with myself…’ Then ‘… they don’t seem to (anything)’ should become ‘… I don’t seem to…’Leave it another 48 hours at least and then re-read it at least three times making no notes or even comments.If that hasn’t helped at all, or enough, find someone you trust to read it to.

School is too stressful for me. I can't deal with the stress of grades and assessments, and my social anxiety has just worsened over the years. I don't know if it's worth it anymore. What should I do?

So sorry that you are feeling overwhelmed!! We live in a culture that seems to enjoy being BUSY BUSY BUSY. Have you shared with anyone how you are feeling? Sometimes just sharing with an adult or someone like a school guidance counselor or teacher that can really help. Sometimes…they can come alongside you and help with the stress and give you the proper tools on how to deal with it. I hope you can reach out to someone about your anxiety! I just wanted to remind you to keep what is TRUE and what is a LIE sorted out in your head. What I mean by that is sometimes we can be our own worst enemies with the dialogue that goes on in our heads. I am someone that used to always be saying “I’m not good at…” or “I’ll NEVER be able to…” or “I can’t”. Well..those were not true. I was good at a lot of things and I was able to do a lot of things I tried and I had people in my life that reminded me of that! The words in my head were given way to much power. I haven’t met you yet…but anyone in school is amazing in my mind…because you are dealing with A LOT and have a TON of expectations on you!I’m praying you will reach out to someone you can share with. Maybe you are a creative person and maybe listening to some music our journaling can help with the anxiety as well!Sometimes taking a break and just taking a deep breath can help. I LOVE to take my mind of myself and turn to some “good stuff” and sometimes hearing peoples testimonies or accomplishments really helps just lift my spirits! So many people have dealt with so many different struggles and I love to hear their stories. Check out this site!!