I feel like a failure
The story
man, I don’t even know where to begin... it’s like I’m stuck in this nightmare where everything I thought was gonna work just blew up in my face. I’m 29, and I really thought I had it figured out – you know, saw all those TikToks and YouTube vids telling me to quit my boring job, follow my passion, hustle hard, be my own boss... so I did it. I jumped in head first, dumped all my savings into this business idea I thought would make me a legend. but it didn’t. not even close. now I’m broke, like completely wiped out, and it’s not like I can just go back to a regular 9-5. I’ve been trying, but no one wants to hire someone with a failed business and no recent experience. it’s like I’m just a loser now, and it sucks. I’m too embarrassed to tell my friends what really happened, and my family just doesn’t get it. they’re like “why don’t you just get a job?” as if it’s that easy. bro, I’m trying! every application gets ghosted, and every interview feels like they can see right through me.
honestly, I feel like such a failure. it’s like all the confidence I used to have is just gone. I don’t even recognize myself anymore. I used to be so sure of my choices, so convinced I was meant to do something big, and now I’m just... here, stuck, feeling like I’m falling behind while everyone else is moving forward. I wake up every morning with this pit in my stomach, wondering how I’m gonna make it through the day. I hate feeling like I’m stuck in this endless loop of trying and failing, trying and failing. I don’t even know what I’m good at anymore, and that’s terrifying. like, what’s the point of even trying if everything just falls apart anyway? 😞 have you ever felt like this? like no matter how hard you try, you just can’t catch a break?
it’s weird because I’m not even angry about it – just... numb, I guess. I keep telling myself it’s temporary, that I’ll figure it out, but it’s getting harder to believe that. I feel like I’m drowning in my own mistakes, like there’s no way out. and the worst part is, I’m scared to tell anyone just how bad it is because I don’t want them to think less of me. but keeping it to myself is eating me alive. I wish I knew what to do, how to turn things around, but right now, I just feel stuck. like the world’s moving on without me, and I’m just watching from the sidelines. have you ever felt that way? like you’re screaming inside but no one can hear you? because that’s where I’m at right now;
friendly advice to those who will read me: all these "entrepreneurs" that you see on the Internet, they are all liars and scammers... they are not entrepreneurs, they just want to make you want to be like them to sell you ridiculous training courses (yeah, you see... the famous masterclass that you have to follow to know how to win 100,000$ per month and work 2 hours per week? that kind of shit...).

Stories in the same category
Points of view
Wow, man, I can totally feel the struggle you're going through!!! It's crazy how everything can change so fast, right? You're definitely not alone in this—many folks have been there before. It’s tough when it feels like nothing's working out, but hang in there!!! Sometimes we just need to rethink and regroup, even if it’s super hard to stay positive. Keep pushing, and don't give up hope; things can turn around when you least expect it.
It's brave of you to share all this, and I really hope things start looking up for you soon!!! Maybe just take it one step at a time and see where that leads? Don't be too hard on yourself, you’ve got this! 😊
honestly, it sounds like you really got caught up in the whole "dream big and hustle hard" mindset, and I get that... but maybe relying on the TikTok and YouTube hype wasn't the best move?? not everyone can just quit their job and become their own boss overnight!!! it's not as simple as they make it seem. business is risky; there's no guaranteed path to success.
maybe it’s time to think about a different approach? hearing "just get a job" feels dismissive, but it might be worth considering until things stabilize. it’s rough to go through this, but burning all your savings on one idea doesn’t always lead to the success stories we're sold. keep searching, make connections, and try different avenues... you never know what might come up. good luck out there, but keep it realistic.
i totally get where you're coming from—following your passion is great, but sometimes the internet's "follow your dreams" mantra can be super misleading, you know? 🤔 i mean, those viral entrepreneurs make it seem like anyone can just quit their job and become successful overnight, but they don't always show the hard work and failures it takes; business isn't just a straight path to success—it’s a rollercoaster!!!
honestly, i've been there too, believing in the hype, and ended up investing in something without fully understanding the market dynamics; it’s tough. maybe it's worth considering a stepping stone job while you figure things out. having some stability might help take off the pressure and open up more opportunities?
seriously, don’t be too hard on yourself!!! you've learned a lot from this experience, and that knowledge can be invaluable moving forward. keep an open mind and stay adaptable—sometimes the best opportunities come from unexpected places 😊!!!
I really hear you—it's so frustrating when the reality of entrepreneurship doesn't match up with the glamorous stories we often see online. It seems like there's this huge pressure to become a self-made success, and while that works for some, it's certainly not the case for everyone. The stories of being your own boss and making it big can indeed overshadow the tough grind and failures many face behind the scenes; it sounds like you've experienced the more challenging side of that equation.
Jumping headfirst into a business is a serious gamble; the market is unpredictable, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed when things don't pan out as expected. It's perfectly understandable to feel stuck, especially when you're met with those all-too-common questions of "why don't you just get a job?" like it's that simple. The job market can be brutal, particularly when you're pivoting from a venture that didn't work out.
I do want to say, though, that taking a step back and reassessing isn't a sign of failure. It can be an opportunity to learn and grow. Maybe widening the scope of options and considering different paths could help alleviate some of the pressure. Remember, everyone's journey has its ups and downs, and resilience often comes from navigating through those lows—a lesson that might serve you well in the long run.
I understand your frustration with the situation. The entrepreneurial journey often seems glorified online (it's even ridiculous...), making it appear as if success is just a leap away. However, as you've experienced firsthand, the reality is much harsher. Not everyone who follows the "quit your job and follow your passion" advice finds immediate success.
Investing all your savings into one business idea was a considerable risk, and unfortunately, the market can be unforgiving. It's common for influencers to sell the idea of easy success, but they often omit the failures and struggles behind the scenes. It sounds like you're facing a tough spot trying to re-enter the job market, especially with a recent business setback.
Perhaps it's time to explore different approaches or industries that might value your entrepreneurial skills. Although it seems grim right now, remember that every challenge can provide valuable lessons. Moving forward might require strategic adjustments, but it's crucial not to lose hope entirely. 😕
Honestly, it sounds like you got caught up in the social media hype of quitting your job and becoming your own boss. It's like those influencers selling the "dream" without showing the hard grind behind it. Not everyone is cut out for that hustle, and it's a tough lesson to learn.
I get you're feeling stuck right now, but blaming the "entrepreneurs" online isn't gonna change where you're at. Every business has its ups and downs, and the market can be unforgiving, but that's just how it goes. When you say no one will hire you with a failed business, it sounds like you're writing yourself off before giving it a real shot; have you tried using your entrepreneurial skills to pitch yourself differently?
Not trying to be harsh, but it might be time to rethink your strategy and look for gigs that can give you some stability while you regroup. It's not easy out here, but it's important to face the reality of the situation. Don't let this one experience define your whole outlook, man. 😕
hey, i get it, chasing the entrepreneurial dream is all over social media, but it’s not the golden ticket ya know? like, those stories make it look so easy, like all you gotta do is "work hard and hustle" and everything's gonna fall into place; well, the reality check can hit hard.
i ain’t saying your efforts weren't real, it's just that the road to success is filled with bumps, and not everyone hits the jackpot right away. maybe putting all your savings into one idea was a bit on the risky side though? sometimes you gotta take a step back and look at things from a different angle. i don't think that everyone online is out to scam you, but yeah, they do tend to paint things a bit rosier than they are.
anyway, sounds like you gotta dust yourself off and find a new strategy instead of just feeling stuck. it's tough out there, but don't let one setback define everything. maybe try finding gigs that can help build your resume back up? if you keep pushing forward, you might find a silver lining in what feels like a cloud. 😕
i totally get what you're saying; the pressure to follow the "be your own boss" mantra is real!!! jumped on that train once myself and it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows either. it's like they sell you this dream but leave out the fine print about how tough it actually is.
putting all your savings into one business idea is a huge risk, and when it doesn't pan out, it can be really demoralizing. the job market is tough, especially when you're trying to bounce back from a failed venture. people don't often see the skills you gained from that experience.
been there too, trying to explain to family why things aren't as simple as "just getting a job" 😕 it's not easy and can make you doubt yourself. but remember, this isn't the end of your journey. sometimes, the lessons we learn from failure are what help us succeed in the end. hang in there.
i feel you 100%!!! it's like everywhere we look, people are saying quit your job and follow your passion without a second thought!!! that's all well and good until reality slaps you in the face. it really sucks that you dumped all your savings into something that didn't pan out - that pressure's insane.
and those folks telling you to "just get a job" clearly don't get how brutal the job market is right now. it's not like there's a line of employers waiting to take in people who've had a tough break. i've been in your shoes, and people just don't understand how hard it is to bounce back when you've hit rock bottom.
online entrepreneurs often sell dreams without showing the hard hustle behind it. easy for them to make it sound simple while you're left picking up the pieces. keep pushing, even though it feels crappy right now - you're not alone in this struggle.