You Have to Be Your Own Biggest Cheerleader especially in small business

One of the hardest things about building a creative life or a small business that nobody really talks about is how lonely it can feel.

People love talking about the exciting parts — the launches, the milestones, the pretty photos, the “success stories.” But they don’t always talk about the quiet moments behind the scenes. The moments where you’re sitting at your kitchen table wondering if any of this is ever going to work.

The moments where you’re exhausted.

Where you second guess yourself.

Where you cry a little because you’ve poured so much of yourself into something and still feel unsure.

The moments where you feel utterly hopeless.

And oftentimes the hardest part isn’t even the work itself. That’s easy for me; its the other stuff that I struggle with.

Sometimes it’s realizing the people around you may never fully understand the dream living inside your chest.

I remember once trying to explain my goals and struggles to a friend — talking about what it feels like trying to build a small business from scratch, trying to make something meaningful, trying to create a different kind of life for yourself.

And while I was talking, I watched her eyes glaze over before she changed the subject completely.

It hurt.

Not because she was trying to be cruel, but because in that moment I realized something important:

I was doing this alone.

I realized not everyone would understand why I cared so deeply. Not everyone would see the vision. Not everyone would understand the risks, the obsession, the hope, the fear, or the emotional weight that comes with trying to build something from nothing.

And honestly? That realization changed me.

Because I suddenly understood that I was going to have to become my own support system sometimes.

I was going to have to learn how to cheer myself on.

That’s a hard thing to do.

Especially when you’re tired.

Especially when things aren’t working yet.

Especially when you’re comparing yourself to everyone else online and wondering if you’re already too late or not good enough— I definitely struggle with this one a lot which is why I keep my head down and not scroll other businesses in my niche, because I know I’ll find flaws in what I’m doing. Flaws that are detrimental to me carrying on.

The comparison game will kill your game entirely

Mindset really is everything.

Not in a toxic positivity kind of way where you pretend everything is amazing all the time. I don’t believe in that either.

I believe in honesty.

I believe there will absolutely be days when this feels difficult and overwhelming. Days when you want to quit. Days when you question yourself entirely.

That’s normal.

But I also believe there’s power in learning how to speak kindly to yourself during those moments instead of tearing yourself apart.

Because if you’re trying to build something meaningful — a business, a creative practice, a new version of your life — you cannot survive by becoming your own bully.

You have to become your own friend.

You have to learn how to say:
“Okay. Today was hard. But we’re not done yet.”

You have to remind yourself why you started.

And on bad days? Take a break.

Seriously.

Rest is not failure. Taking time for yourself is healthy.

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is step away for a moment, go outside, make tea, quilt something slowly (I really enjoy hand quilting and knitting), watch a comfort movie, sleep early, or simply let yourself breathe.

You don’t have to force yourself through every hard moment. (I really need to take my own advice here more often.)

And sometimes you may need to pivot too.

You may need to change direction, adapt, learn new skills, or let go of ideas that no longer fit who you’re becoming.

That’s not failure either!! It’s being a smart businesswoman.

That’s growth.

The people who eventually build beautiful things are usually the people willing to keep flowing with change instead of collapsing under it.

But whatever you do — don’t quit just because it’s hard.

If you truly love what you do…

If creating lights something up inside of you…

If you wake up thinking about ideas and possibilities and things you want to make…

Then keep going.

Even slowly.

Even imperfectly.

Even quietly.

Because the truth is, a lot of dreams die not because people weren’t talented enough, but because they stopped believing in themselves before things had time to grow. Trust me, I know this one all too well.

And I know how hard it is to keep believing when there’s no crowd cheering for you yet.

But sometimes you have to become the person clapping for yourself in the beginning.

You have to become the voice saying:
“Keep going. I know this matters to you.”

And maybe that sounds silly to some people, but honestly? I think more of us need that kind of kindness toward ourselves.

The world can already be harsh enough. Your inner voice doesn’t need to be harsh too.

So if things feel lonely right now…
If you’re struggling…
If you’re doubting yourself…

I hope you keep going anyway.

Quietly.
Stubbornly.
Hopefully.

One small step at a time.

Until next time,
XO Kim