Keeping your chin up

Starting a new business can be emotionally overwhelming. I was restructured out of my job of 20 years in April 2025. I had a year's worth of severance, so I wasn't too worried about the future. A year to find a job should have been easy. It was not. I can come up with several excuses of why nobody will hire me: my age (60), my weight (a lot), slow job market, and not having interviewed for 20 years (being out of touch with the younger hiring manager). There is also some arrogance over my experience and having to sell myself when my resume should speak for itself (they would all be lucky to have me).

Those excuses don't pay the bills. I have some savings in my 401K, so this isn't a financial emergency for me, yet, but I decided to start my own business to bring in some money to help pay the bills. I am a CPA with a ton of experience, so starting a bookkeeping business seemed like a slam dunk. Wrong again. I started this adventure in June of this year and I have yet to wrangle a single client.

This post is not about whining or looking for answers, I just wanted to touch base with those who are also struggling and to remind them they are not alone. I'm sure, I am not the only aspiring business owner that is having problems launching my business or someone who has been laid off and is having trouble finding that new job.

It is okay to feel depressed, anxious, or even worthless. It is okay if you can't get out of bed in the morning or sit on the couch all day and watch TV and scroll through Facebook or TikTok. It's okay if you haven't showered in a couple of days or if you are still in the same clothes you put on yesterday. We all need time to work through our disappointments.

However, eventually, you need to reach out to your support group. Whether that is family, friends, Church group, or someone else, you have to let them know you are hurting. You need to take off your social mask and stop smiling through the pain and let people know you are not okay. You have to let the people who love you (and there is someone who loves you, even if you don't think there is), help you. If nothing else, make a sign that says you are depressed and stand on a busy street corner. Someone will stop and talk to you. Go to a Church and ask to speak to the pastor or priest, it is their job to help you.

If you are to the point where you are thinking of hurting yourself or someone else, please get professional help. The Suicide Lifeline is 988, just three little numbers.

Someone loves you and will miss you. You are worth saving. So, keep your chin up, the sun will shine again tomorrow.

Much love,

Linda