When Nothing Feels Good Anymore: Understanding Anhedonia as an Entrepreneur

You’re hitting your goals. Your team’s growing. The product’s live. On paper, everything is working.

But internally?
You feel… numb.
No spark. No excitement. No joy.

This isn’t just stress. It’s not just fatigue.
It could be something deeper—something called anhedonia.

What is Anhedonia?

Anhedonia is the inability to feel pleasure or joy from things that normally bring you satisfaction.

It’s a common symptom of depression, but it can also show up in burnout and chronic stress. And for entrepreneurs—especially those building something deeply tied to their identity or purpose—it can be particularly confusing.

Because you’re supposed to love this. Right?

You chose this path. You care about the impact. But suddenly, even the work that used to light you up feels like a dull blur. Wins don’t register. Breakthroughs feel hollow. And your inner world starts to feel flat.

Why Anhedonia Matters for Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs are often praised for being resilient, passionate, and “all-in.” But here’s the thing:

When your internal joy system shuts down, it’s a signal—not a weakness.

And ignoring it won’t make it go away. 

Here’s why it matters:

1. Your joy is data.

When joy disappears, it’s not random. It’s telling you something’s off—whether that’s your pace, your boundaries, your health, or your alignment with the mission.

2. You can’t build sustainably without emotional feedback.

As an entrepreneur, your gut instincts matter. Your ability to feel excitement, curiosity, or motivation isn’t fluff—it’s essential to creative problem solving and leadership.

3. You can’t fake joy forever.

Trying to “just get through it” while emotionally checked out can fracture your relationships—with co-founders, investors, your team, and even yourself.

Signs You Might Be Experiencing Anhedonia

• You no longer enjoy the things that used to energize you

• You feel disconnected from wins and milestones

• You’re unmotivated, not because you're lazy—but because you're numb

• Your default is "meh"—even around things that once made you come alive

• You isolate yourself more, even when you're surrounded by people
  

Sound familiar? You’re not broken. You’re burned out. Or overwhelmed. Or over-capacitated in ways your nervous system can’t carry anymore.

What You Can Do

1. Name it.

Sometimes, just knowing there’s a name for what you’re feeling can be powerful. Anhedonia isn’t rare—and it’s not forever. It’s a state. Not a sentence.

2. Slow down (even a little).

Even if you can’t hit pause entirely, reduce complexity where you can. Delegate. Delay non-essential decisions. Make space.

3. Talk to someone.

A therapist, coach, mentor, or peer who gets it. 

4. Seek tiny sparks.

Don’t expect a huge breakthrough overnight. Try looking for micro-joys. A short walk. A playlist. A small creative outlet. One conversation that feels nourishing.

5. Treat your inner world like part of the business.

Because it is, your emotional health is startup infrastructure.

From Flat to Full: A New Kind of Founder Energy

We talk a lot about entrepreneur energy—drive, hustle, vision.
But we don’t talk enough about emotional energy.

If your joy is gone, it doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’ve been running too hard for too long without filling your own cup.

At Collectively Tangled, we believe in supporting the whole entrepreneur. That includes creating space to name experiences like anhedonia without shame—and supporting each other in finding our way back to joy, meaning, and vitality.

Because the world doesn’t just need more startups. It needs more well entrepreneurs—deeply grounded in themselves, and connected to the “why” that fuels them.

Feeling off? You’re not alone.

Last year, with support from The City of Calgary and Innovate Calgary’s Social Innovation Hub,  we launched the Change Can’t Wait pilot to integrate mental health support into entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Today, support is available online—conveniently tailored to your busy schedule. Research shows therapy can lead to meaningful change in just 3-8 sessions. Find certified therapists covered by most major insurance providers across Canada. Looking to get started? Book a free virtual consultation to explore how therapy can support your growth as an entrepreneur.

We view therapy as the tool for growth that it truly is, it’s time you do too. Join a community of entrepreneurs recognizing the benefits of accessing mental health support.

Questions or ready to learn more? Reach out at info@collectivelytangled.com