The grind of starting up

I wasn’t planning to write about this topic. But reading Fouad Jeryes 's raw reflection on his 2024—Burnout & Breakthrough / Heartbreak & Hope—made me pause, reflect and appreciates his openness sharing this in public - we need more like this! His words reminded me how important it is to talk about these things — to normalize the struggles founders face. My own experience from my previous startup and Zuhair Shamma’ reminder about the importance of rest surfaced something I've felt overtime, which shows that: every founder feels the weight of the grind in building startups. And when I talk to other founders whether a seed, series A,B or C or even exited founders —when we really open up and see eye to eye—I can see it in their eyes. We all go through this. Unspokenly, we all carry this weight. But no one truly understands it until they’ve done it.

Starting a startup changes us founders in ways that are hard to explain—I call it "gritload." Some might say it’s "emotional rollercoaster", but it’s not quite that. It's not the highs and lows; it’s the constant weight founders carry, the relentless mental and emotional pull that shapes us as a founder. It humbles you, challenges you, and gives you a deep sense of purpose. Gritload captures the mix of grit—the determination and passion needed to stay the course—and the load of responsibility, things to learn and growth you carry every day. At first, solving immediate problems keeps you moving. But over time, the cognitive and emotional weight builds, and you start to feel the grind. Gritload is the journey, shaping both the business and the person behind it. It’s meaningful, challenging, and deeply human.

What makes it so hard is the responsibility. Everything flows back to you. If the product isn’t working, if customers are unhappy, if the team is struggling, if investor expectations aren’t aligned—it’s all on you. The pressure is constant because founders is the one holding the bag. And as Ahmed Al Rawi said which I like,

Burnout for the mind is what an injury is to the body

Left unchecked, it spreads. A startup without proper support is like a marathon runner without training—destined for collapse.

And yet, this weight is also what gives the journey meaning. You’re not just doing a job. You’re creating something from nothing. You’re pulling possibilities out of the void and making them real. Christine Tsai once posted in X, "Being a founder, CEO, means being punched in the face repeatedly, your spirit beaten & broken down, your heart jerked around. Every day." That sums it up perfectly. The grind is the price you pay for that privilege. It’s what makes the scars worth it.

But it’s also isolating. When you’re in the middle of it, it feels like no one else could possibly understand. That’s why talking to other founders matters so much. I remember one particular conversation where I was sharing the journey of my prev. startup before the acquisition. The other founder at a series B, looked at me and said, “Oh, I thought it was just me.” In that moment, I realized, “Oh, I’m not the only one experiencing this.” Whenever I sit down with another founder and we open up about what’s really going on—the struggles, the journey, the make-it-happen moments, aha moments, the self-doubt, all the war stories, the pivot, the constant decision-making—I’m reminded that the grind is shared and which I believe it needs to be done more often for all founders out there.

And it’s only in those conversations that the weight feels lighter. Because they get it. You can’t explain this to someone who hasn’t built a company. They can sympathize, but they can’t truly relate. You have to live it to understand it. It's gritload!

Most days in a startup don’t feel like building something extraordinary. From the outside, the perception of startups is that everyone is crushing it—it looks like singing, dancing, and endless wins. But inside, most days feel like you’re putting out fires. The hardest part is figuring out which fires actually matter. Over time, you learn that some problems will burn themselves out, while others need immediate attention. The skill great founders develop in my opinion isn’t only working harder—it’s knowing which problems to ignore. But that wisdom only comes with experience. The scars teach you.

Startups are a long game. The overnight success stories we read about are usually decade-long grinds compressed into a headline. If you don’t understand this, the grind will feel like a sprint, and you’ll burn out. But when you realize it’s a marathon, everything shifts. You stop focusing on every little thing and start focusing on what actually matters.

Another truth is, a VC-backed startup is not for everyone. And honestly, that’s why I often say to people who wants to start a company—don’t do it. It requires sacrifices that most people can’t imagine. You give up time, stability, and often pieces of yourself in pursuit of something greater, something than bigger than us the founder. The cost is high, and unless you’re ready for it, the toll can be devastating.

The pressure to perform, the isolation, and the relentless demands can break even the strongest individuals. It’s why we need to normalize these conversations and create spaces where founders feel safe to talk about the struggles without judgment. - most of these happens if you have the right support around you.

Zuhair’s reminder about rest and giving yourself a rest. Isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. It’s part of the work.

When we’re constantly on, constantly making decisions, we lose clarity. Rest gives you the space to step back, recalibrate, and reconnect with WHY you started in the first place. Without it, the grind consumes you.?Getting a co-founder who complements you can also make a world of difference. A great co-founder gives you the mental bandwidth to recalibrate and the support to be more creative. They shoulder part of the load, allowing you to step back and see the bigger picture. Together, you create the balance that every founder needs but rarely finds alone.?

Something to keep in mind: you don’t have to carry the weight alone.

1. Surround yourself with people who truly understand the journey.
2. Build a supporting system - I recommend you to join 500 Global . Their support is phenomenal and the energy is contagious. #500strong
3. Talk to other founders,
4. be vulnerable and open up.
5. Share your struggles.

The moment you hear someone else say, “I’ve been there,” you realize you’re not alone. Their stories won’t just resonate; they’ll help you see your own challenges with fresh perspective. Find mentors who’ve weathered the same storms. Learn from their scars so you can navigate your path with fewer wounds of your own.

The grind doesn’t end. But over time, it gets clearer. You learn which battles are worth fighting. You start to understand that the work isn’t about getting everything right—it’s about staying in the game long enough to figure it out and survive. And when you have the right people, investors, community, ecosystem in your corner, the grind becomes less about survival and more about building something that lasts. That’s the real work. That’s what makes it worth it and thats how we are being more intentional this time building OCTA - AR Automation .

If you’re in the grind, keep going. But don’t lose yourself in it, Be kind to yourself. Take a step back when you need to. Rest. Reflect. Talk to those who’ve walked this path before. And remember—the grind is real, but so is the impact of what you’re building. Keep going, Keep rocking. It’s worth it.