You Don't Need a Break. You Need a Win.
For when you feel tired, but know deep down that sleep isn't the cure.
Hey there, Solo Dev!
I spent a good part of the last two years in a daze. Constantly tired, thinking I just needed to rest. The truth?
I was discouraged from a lack of wins.
Two years ago, I built a small app and released it to total silence. At the same time, I was struggling at my day job. I failed to get the promotion I wanted. The next year, I failed again.
I felt helpless, trapped in a crushing feedback loop. It seemed I could do nothing to move the needle. The effort I put in never seemed to lead to a proportional gain. In fact, my effort just led to nothing.
I confused the exhaustion from the struggle with a need for sleep.
And that’s the danger of solopreneurship.
If you’re not careful, you’ll start to believe your work doesn’t matter.
But it’s not about energy. It all comes down to momentum.
There’s no guarantee. It might not pay off right away, but momentum builds.
So what do you do when you’re stuck in that fog, and nothing seems to click?
You don’t wait for rest.
You chase progress.
And the way to start? You focus on a guaranteed win. When you feel helpless, you need proof that you have the power to change things. Get your head out of the clouds. Stop chasing what-ifs. Move the needle, however small a step it might be.
Manufacture momentum, and carry it with you.
Let it take you where you need to go.
This isn’t hustle culture. This is psychological first aid.
What’s one small win you can create for yourself today?
See you next Saturday!
P.S. A Quick Note on a New Format
Thank you for reading Solo Dev Saturday 🧱!
Going forward, I'm shifting the format to deliver more focused value to you. From now on, you'll get a short, punchy article (under 300 words) like this one every Saturday.
On the final Saturday of each month, I'll still send a deep-dive recap of my own journey: what I’ve shipped, what I’ve learned, and how I’ve moved the needle.
I believe this new rhythm will help me deliver better insights to you each week, while also pushing me to build more in public. Thanks for being here. I'm excited to share what's next with you.