Yesterday, I read about a creator named Jackie Dubois. She started a TikTok account to share her paintings.

She grew past 230,000 followers, and her art sales turned into a six-figure income.

Then she quit social media.

Not because she failed. Because the push to post all the time, deal with comments, and stay on was messing with her mind.

She said in her own words: “It’s really overwhelming — the highs and the lows.”

She is not the only one feeling this.

Her story lines up with what the new data shows.

A 2025 creator mental health study shared by Forbes found that 62% of creators feel burned out often, 69% struggle with financial stress, 58% say their self-worth drops when a post underperforms, and 43% say they feel isolated even while being online all day. (Forbes, The Wrap)

So the problem is not really the work. It is how the work is set up. The pressure. The pace. The nonstop checking of numbers.

The feeling that you must keep up with everyone else.

Anyone can fall into this when they copy a loud hustle template that was never made for their own mind and body.

If it keeps you in panic mode, you will stall or quit, even if the strategy looks smart when others do it.

Here’s how to avoid falling into that cycle:

➡️ Be honest about what drains you

Write down the things that make your body tense up most: constant calls, heavy DMs, tight client deadlines. Your list is your starting point, not a weakness report.

Then pick one item from that list and change how you handle it this week.

Remove it, reduce it, or hand it to a freelancer if it is something you do not need to do yourself.

If you want places to find good help without spending a lot, you can check this guide on where to hire freelancers.

➡️ Pick channels that feel natural

If talking all day pulls your energy down, choose channels that feel lighter for you.

For example, if writing feels heavy, switch to voice notes.

➡️ Put numbers in their place

Check stats on a schedule, not all day. For example, once in the morning, once in the evening.

➡️ Match work to your best hours

Put your focus work in the time of day when your brain feels clean and slow, not after you are already tired from reacting to everyone else.

So if you are a creator, a solopreneur, or someone who wants to start a small side gig, your business should not cost your mind.

Build one that your nervous system can handle.

Stay curious,

Minosh.

PS: If you want to grow on Pinterest without burning yourself out, I put together a list of the best Pinterest courses that actually help beginners. You can read it here.