How Entrepreneurs Can Safeguard Their Mental Wealth During Americas' Existential Crisis" (Part 1)
Seneca Williams "Entrepreneur Therapist"
Author ?? Conquer The Imposter ?? Breakthrough Business Anxiety ??Speaker ??Therapist, Coach & Founder of The Conquer Network | VP, Behind The Leaf 501(c)(3)
America may be in an existential crisis, but don’t let it send you into a mental health crisis.
If you've taken a Psychology class, you may have learned that an existential crisis is when someone starts to wonder about big questions like, "Why am I here?" or "What’s the purpose?"
America is in a state of flux, and for many entrepreneurs like me, the political unrest can feel like a tidal wave crashing into your business, your focus, and your mental health.?
Many therapy clients describe that an existential crisis is like feeling a little lost or confused about who you are and what really matters. It can happen when things around you feel uncertain or when something big changes.
Sounds like America right now?
With chaos in the news, shifting social norms, and economic uncertainty, it’s no wonder so many of us are feeling drained, distracted, and burned out. As an entrepreneur, you already wear many hats, and now it feels like you’re carrying even more weight.
But here’s the thing: You can’t lead your business, make a difference, or show up for others if you’re in the middle of a mental health crisis. It’s time to refocus, protect your peace, and learn how to engage with the world in a way that’s healthy and productive—not overwhelming.
Navigating Uncertainty
In times of political unrest and uncertainty, it’s easy to feel like the chaos is spilling over into every part of life—including your mental health, your business, and your sense of purpose. For entrepreneurs, whose creativity and decision-making are at the core of their work, staying mentally strong is non-negotiable.
As a therapist and coach for entrepreneurs, I’ve seen firsthand how the current political climate is weighing heavily on my clients. I’m doing my best to help them, while I too navigate these emotions with them.?
The news cycles, debates, and social media echo chambers can create a perfect storm of stress, anger, and burnout. And for many, especially those of us from immigrant or marginalized backgrounds, America’s identity crisis feels deeply personal—like trying to navigate a dysfunctional family dynamic while still striving for your dreams.
The Reality of the American Dream
Once upon a time, America was sold as “the land of freedom and liberty,” but the fine print wasn’t written for everyone. Then came the era of celebrating differences as a “melting pot,” followed by the hopeful optimism of a “post-racial” society.
And now?
America feels like a dysfunctional family trying to figure out its identity, leaving many of us—especially immigrants, minorities, and entrepreneurs—feeling like outsiders in our own home.
As a Caribbean immigrant and female entrepreneur, I’ve wrestled with these feelings. On one hand, I’ve achieved opportunities here that I couldn’t have elsewhere. On the other, the chaos and uncertainty sometimes make me question what the American Dream even means today.?
The Emotional Contradictions
Cognitive dissonance is when your brain feels uneasy because your thoughts or beliefs don’t match up with your actions. It’s like when you know something is true but you act in a way that contradicts it, and it leaves you feeling uncomfortable.
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For example, imagine you love animals and believe in being kind to them, but then you accidentally step on your dog’s tail or forget to feed it. Your actions don’t align with your values, and that discomfort you feel inside? That’s cognitive dissonance.
Your brain tries to help you feel better by either fixing what you did (like apologizing to your dog) or justifying it to yourself (maybe you tell yourself the dog is an inconvenience or that it’s not your fault you've been stressed by work). The brain does this to make sense of the situation when things don’t quite line up.
America is doing the same thing right now—it says it cares about freedom, equality, and opportunity, but the actions don’t always match the words. That cognitive dissonance is making it harder for many of us to stay grounded.
It can be very confusing for the person on the receiving end and you're trying to make sense of it. You can spend hours going over what's happened, happening until you're emotionally exhausted. It’s affecting your mental health and spilling over into your businesses.
But here’s the truth: While we can’t control what’s going on in the world, we can control how we show up in it. Let’s talk about how to stay grounded, healthy, and productive—even when everything around us feels upside down. More on that in Part 2.
Note: This post is about the mental impact of the stressors occurring as a result of the current state of the government. Not about politics, parties, or policies. Take care of your mental health first.
This is not meant to diagnose. If you are experiencing any symptoms of anxiety, depression or trauma reach out to a licensed therapist.
Dial 988 the mental crisis hotline.
Therapist Referral Sites:
Seneca Williams, LMHC is a licensed therapist who works with careerpreneurs and entrepreneurs with high-functioning anxiety and depression.