The Emotional Side of Starting a Business: The Highs & Lows of Month One

Okay, let’s be real—starting a business is a rollercoaster.

One minute, you’re on top of the world, convinced you’re about to be the next big thing in your niche. The next? You’re staring at your shop stats like, “Hello? Is anyone out there?”

In my first month of selling on Etsy, I’ve had some amazing wins, but I’ve also had moments of doubt, frustration, and questioning my life choices. (Dramatic? Maybe. But also… relatable.)  So let’s talk about the real, emotional side of starting a business—the highs, the lows, and what keeps me going.

🌟 HIGH: Making My First Sale

Nothing compares to that first cha-ching notification. It happened, and I was thrilled.

🎉 "I DID IT! Someone (who isn’t my mom) actually wants to buy something I made!" 🎉

That first sale felt like validation—proof that this business isn’t just a dream, but something real.

💡 Lesson: That first sale isn’t just about the money—it’s about believing in yourself. (And yes, I absolutely happy-danced in my kitchen and the car and the office and the living room.)

😬 LOW: The “Why Isn’t Anyone Buying?” Spiral

After the high of my first sale, I thought, "Okay, here we go! Sales are gonna start rolling in!"

…And then, crickets. 🦗  I checked my Etsy dashboard way too much, trying to will people into buying. It felt discouraging to put in all this effort and not see instant results.

💡 Lesson: Patience. Some days are slow, and that’s normal. I’ve had to remind myself that building a business takes time, and consistency is key.

🌟 HIGH: Seeing My Listings Get Views & Favorites

Even when sales were slow, seeing people viewing and favoriting my products gave me hope.

💭 "Okay, so people like what I’m making. They just haven’t hit 'buy' yet."

💡 Lesson: Small wins count! Every view, favorite, and follower means my business is growing—even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment.

😩 LOW: When Self-Doubt Shows Up Like an Uninvited Guest

Let’s talk about the hardest part—self-doubt.

There were moments this month where I thought:
😰 “Am I even good at this?”
😰 “Maybe this was a bad idea.”
😰 “What if I’m not actually cut out for this?”

And the wildest part? I was having these thoughts even while making sales. Imposter syndrome is sneaky like that. It shows up, whispering that you’re not actually as good as people think. But here’s what I realized: Self-doubt doesn’t mean I’m failing. It means I care.

💡 How I deal with it:

• I acknowledge the thoughts. Instead of ignoring them, I say, “Okay, I see you, doubt. But I’m not letting you stop me.”
• I remind myself that EVERY business owner feels this way. Even the most successful ones.
• I keep going anyway. Because doubt only wins if I quit—and quitting isn’t an option.

💡 Lesson: Feeling doubt doesn’t mean you’re not capable. It means you’re growing. And the only way to prove those doubts wrong? Keep going.

🌟 HIGH: Positive Feedback & Encouragement

One of the best parts? People cheering me on!

• Friends & family supporting my business
• Customers leaving kind messages
• Fellow small business owners sharing advice

These moments remind me why I started and push me to keep going.

💡 Lesson: Surround yourself with people who lift you up. The support makes all the difference.

💡 Final Thoughts: It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Starting a business isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.

✨ Some days are exciting.
✨ Some days are slow.
✨ Some days feel like a mess.

But every step forward is progress. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s growth.  If you’re in the early stages of your business, just know you’re not alone. Keep going, keep learning, and remember—the highs always outweigh the lows.

💬 Have you struggled with self-doubt in your business? How do you push through? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

📌 Shop my designs here 🛒

Until next time,
Jecca