Back in 2016, my Sunday afternoons used to sneak up like a headache. I’d tidy the kitchen, fold laundry, open my laptop “just to prep,” and then—bam—this heavy feeling.

It wasn’t about one tough meeting. It was the thought of the next decade looking exactly the same. Sunday dread was that quiet voice asking for a different life while my calendar pulled me back.

This letter is my simple way out: the promise of a new definition of safety plus good-enough experiments so your brain gets proof, not pep talks.

If you’re feeling that slow squeeze right now, let’s loosen it together, one small, practical move at a time.

The Visible Success Signal Trap

In 2016, my LinkedIn profile looked ‘impressive.’ I had the titles, a corner office, a fancy contact card — every visible success signal. I was the “responsible mid-career professional” doing everything “right.”

The LinkedIn wins, the airport photos, the conference lanyards—it looked solid from the outside. My parents were proud. Friends said, “You’ve made it.” I nodded and smiled.

But every Sunday at 4 pm, the same thought hit me:
‘Is this it? Am I really going to feel this way for the next 20 years?”

If you feel the same way, it’s okay. You might fear “losing stability if you leave,” “letting your family down,” or “waking up one day and regretting a reckless leap.”

I felt all of it. I wasn’t chasing drama; I wanted relief.

Here’s the promise of this letter: you won’t beat Sunday dread by escaping or by forcing courage. You beat it with a new definition of safety and 70% good-enough experiments that give your brain proof. Think of it like testing a bridge with small steps before you drive the full weight across.

The “Impressive” LinkedIn profile VS The Sunday 4 PM Crash

Two realities running at the same time.

Meanwhile, that whisper—“Is this it?”—keeps looping in the background.

But hear this: your fears make total sense. But fear often wears a friendly mask: “playing it safe,” overthinking every idea, hoarding courses, and then… doing nothing.

Under the hood, this is body-first, not just mindset. A chronic “low-level threat” state that tags misaligned work as ongoing danger, not a bad week. Sunday dread is your body saying: “I don’t want to go back there.”

Then comes the mind game—“My life looks good, so why do I feel awful?”—and shame kicks in. So we numb: more work, more scrolling, more snacking, more shows. Numbing buys short-term quiet, but the dread renews its subscription next Sunday.

Let’s flip it.

Dread is a signal, not a defect. It’s asking for alignment, not heroics. You don’t want to blow up your life. You want calm, a “safe” exit path, and evidence that this could work. That’s a doable project.

Updating Your Definition Of Safety

It all starts with an outdated definition of safety.

Old safety gives you two bad options.

1. Stay forever in the job that drains you

2. Rage-quit on the spot and jump into chaos

Both are fear reactions, not strategy. It’s “all or nothing” thinking—either total security or total freedom. No middle ground. No wonder your nervous system keeps the alarms on. It can’t trust either extreme.

Let’s update it:

Safety is:
• testing small
• building a financial buffer
• pre-selling one tiny offer
• learning from each experiment
• doubling down on what actually works

All that, while keeping your 9–5 job (for a little bit longer).

That’s where a “runway” account comes in—money you save from small tests. It’s emotional safety and financial safety in one place. You protect your family from a “reckless leap,” and you move forward.

That concrete plan gives your nervous system something to trust. When the dollars and feedback start matching, the Sunday alarm gets quieter. And notice: this isn’t about being a genius. It’s about being a scientist in your own life—test, observe, adjust.

Here’s a quick example of proof: Two paid 60-minute sessions at €150 each won’t rewrite your finances, but they will prove a stranger will pay for your help. That’s the kind of evidence your brain believes.

Perfectionism - The Real Blocker

Perfectionism is just a safety strategy.

• “If I never launch, no one can judge me”.

• “If it’s not perfect, I won’t start”.

You stay theoretically talented but practically stuck.

That’s why you might catch yourself avoiding any action whatsoever. The solo path triggers old fears about being seen, failing publicly, and disappointing people—so your brain slams the brakes.

New rules help.

• Old rule: “If this offer doesn’t sell, I’m not cut out for this.”

• New rule: “This version didn’t land. What can I tweak?”

Treat every outcome as data—about the offer, the audience, the positioning.

The 70% rule wins:

“70% good, shipped this week” beats “100% perfect, never launched.”

To do this, you need to time-box experiments to 30–90 days. That way, you learn fast, measure momentum, and keep life stable while you test. If you want a nudge, set a tiny public commitment: “I’m shipping a simple offer by Friday.” Tell one friend who won’t let you wriggle out of it.

That’s how you can quietly but confidently start building your solo path without jumping into chaos or turning your life into drama.

How I Used The 70%-Good-Enough Experiments

I skipped the 40-page business plan. I started with one simple offer. From my story: “marketing consulting for startups.” No fancy funnels. No viral content plan. Just conversations and a clear way to help.

These are my micro-experiment steps in April 2018 - 6 months before quitting and going full-time solo:

• Picked one simple service I could offer (marketing consulting for startups).

• Had 2–3 honest conversations per week with people who might need it (using LinkedIn to find startup founders).

• Charged something (anything) to validate it (300 euros for an audit and coaching session).

• Saved every cent from those tests into a “runway” account.

• Repeated what worked until the numbers made sense.

Nothing fancy. Every step was “good enough,” not perfect—and that was the point. Tiny wins build proof. Proof calms your brain. A calm brain takes the next step.

If you want a simple starter script, try this:
“Hey [Name]—I’m testing a small offer helping [who] with [specific outcome]. I’m running a limited audit + strategy call for €300 to see if it’s useful. If you’re up for it, I’ll tailor it to [their context] and share 3 actionable moves. If not, no worries—any feedback helps.”

In August 2018 came the turning point email from a US-based fintech startup:
“Let’s do it. Tell us how to grow our start-up with marketing and content. We will start with a $1,500 retainer!”

I was in the car with my partner and screamed. ‘What?’
I was at a place I had never thought I could reach.
I didn’t even know it existed 6 months ago.”

2 months later, I quit my 9–5 job and went full-time solo

Fast-forward to 2025:

• 8 years of solopreneurship

• 5x my corporate salary

• A workweek that fits my energy

• Travelling without asking for anyone’s permission

• Zero Sunday dread

None of that required a viral moment. It was boring in the best way: test, learn, repeat.

A Final Word

Sunday dread and “Is this it?” are signals, not defects. The old idea of safety (“stay forever” or “rage-quit”) keeps dread alive.

The fix is a new definition of safety plus 70%-good-enough experiments. That combo gives your brain proof and your life options.

The real blockers are perfectionism, “playing it safe,” hoarding courses, and “doing nothing.”

Micro-experiments and one simple offer can quietly rewrite your future in months, not overnight. You don’t need permission. You need a tiny test.

Brutal honesty: most people will nod along and still go back to “playing it safe,” overthinking, and “doing nothing.”

Here are my two cents:

Your tiny, non-negotiable next step this week:

• Define one simple offer.

• Message 5 people.

• Aim for “70% good, shipped,” not perfect.

A simple, clear offer. Content. Conversations. Calls. Sales. Confidence. With a system. That’s how you let go of the Sunday dread. That’s how you build your solo path without chaos.

If you feel stuck and struggle to transition from corporate to solopreneurship with calm confidence, I can be of help.

Book your free Clarity Call with me here.

We will explore the barriers that hold you back from transitioning and lay out the next steps for your unique solo path (no ready-made one-size-fits-all systems).

The call is 100% free. No strings attached, no obligation to anything. It’s an informal virtual coffee to meet and share our stories.

If you are not ready for that yet, it's okay. You are in a safe space here, and you are already on a path towards freedom and meaning. You’ve not landed here by accident or luck. Trust me.

PS: You may want to check this out if you struggle to make the bold move but still want to test the waters, explore and embody your new identity without risking your job (for now), income, or sanity » 7 Low-Risk Entry Points For Pre-Solopreneurs (Before You Quit)