Depression doesn’t knock. It barges in.
And if you’re a business owner or leader, you’ve probably had it as an unwelcome guest more than once. It lingers. It disrupts. And ignoring it? That only makes it worse.
I know this from experience—not theory.
Over the years, I’ve come to understand depression in ways I never asked for. And while the causes and symptoms vary, there’s one universal truth: pretending it doesn’t exist only deepens its grip.
Why Business Owners Are Especially Vulnerable
Owning a business comes with unique pressures that most people don’t see. There’s a silent expectation that you always have to keep it together, no matter what’s falling apart behind the scenes.
As a former business owner, I was a boss by default. But being the boss meant walking a tightrope—especially when it came to emotions.
Here’s what I mean:
- If an employee expressed frustration or anger at me, I was expected to remain calm, professional, and understanding.
- If I expressed the same level of frustration, even calmly, it was often interpreted as hostility or intimidation.
- And if I actually raised my voice (let alone got visibly upset), the fallout could be significant—morale issues, HR complaints, or even legal risk.
This isn’t just about perception. The culture we live in—hyper-litigious, quick to cancel, hypersensitive—amplifies the emotional burden of leadership. Everything the boss says carries more weight. And most of us know it.
So what do we do?
We bottle it. We swallow the anger. We stuff the fear. We smile when we want to scream. We act steady when we feel shaky.
But here’s the truth: what doesn’t get expressed doesn’t just go away.
It festers. It mutates. And very often, it turns into depression.
The Emotional Cage of Leadership
As business owners, we become experts in emotional restraint. But the longer you hold those feelings in, the more your internal world starts to break down.
- You lose motivation.
- You start to feel numb or disconnected.
- You go through the motions.
- You look like you don’t care—not because you don’t, but because you’re trying not to drown.
And the irony? The very thing you do to protect others (hiding your emotions) ends up hurting you.
This inner tension—the pressure to appear composed while carrying the full emotional weight of the business—can be crushing.
What’s the Way Forward?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are a few things that have helped me and others I know:
1. Find a Safe Place to Be Honest
A trusted friend, mentor, or peer group can be a game-changer. You need a space where you can be raw, real, and unfiltered—without fear of judgment.
2. Consider Professional Help
Therapy isn’t weakness; it’s wisdom. A trained counselor or business coach can help you unpack the bottled emotions and give you tools to navigate them in a healthy way.
3. Develop an Inner Life
Prayer. Meditation. Stillness. However you engage it, building a habit of introspection helps you gain perspective. You learn that:
- Your thoughts aren’t always facts.
- You aren’t in control of everything (and that’s okay).
- You’re allowed to let go without falling apart.
4. Don’t Forget to Have Fun
Business can get serious fast. But laughter, play, and light-heartedness are critical to long-term emotional health. Make room for joy—even in small ways.
5. Practice Gratitude
Gratitude rewires the brain. When you regularly write down what you’re thankful for, it shifts your emotional posture. It doesn’t erase pain, but it reminds you of what’s still good.
6. Use Medication if Needed—Without Shame
I get it: the idea of taking antidepressants can feel like defeat. But here’s how I’ve come to see it:
If you broke your ankle, you’d use crutches while it heals.
Depression is no different.
Medication doesn’t fix everything—but it takes some of the weight off so you can heal and start walking again.
And that walking? That’s what leads to finding your way out of depression.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone
If you’re a business owner struggling with depression, please hear this: you’re not weak, you’re human.
And you don’t have to go it alone.
There’s no badge for suffering silently. There’s no prize for holding it all in.
You owe it to yourself—and the people who count on you—to get healthy.
Whether you start with a journal, a phone call, a therapy appointment, or even a moment of quiet prayer, take a step.
You are not broken.
You are not a failure.
You’re just carrying a lot—and it’s time to set some of it down.
If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here. And if you need more than that, please reach out to a professional.
Leave a Reply