19/04/2026
Nobody talks about the stress & physical demand of being a tradesman. How it mentally overwhelms & burns you out. 🔥
Before I start work I'm planning for a day of physical graft looking after my customer only for them to change their mind or to ask more from me that wasn't agreed and priced up for! I answer calls & messages throughout the day to keep work coming in. My back is aching, my shoulders hurt but I do this with a smile on my face because I'm trying to be pleasant to my customer.
When my physical work is done I'm visiting other potential customers, pricing jobs, writing quotes, chasing late payments, sorting accounts & paying building merchants. Trying to please everyone. The cycle never ends! I sometimes cancel social events as I'm too tired to spend time with friends. I know I should be spending time with my family & friends like everyone else. I still have my own jobs that need doing around my own house but I'm too busy pleasing customers to do them. I'm constantly replying to messages even when I'm on holiday!
I sometimes sit in my van starring into space, I'm not ignoring or avoiding anyone. I'm just calibrating whats happened that day & contemplating what I need to do the next day.
Running a business is full on and non stop. ✋️
It's exhausting when the building merchant hasn't got what I need & I've been 5 times in 2 days then the customer changes their mind & I'm back there again for the 8th time! This does impact pricing but I never say anything.
I'm running at maximum capacity
& sometimes don't feel respected & valued by customers and I'm worn out but I'm ready to go again tomorrow. Please be kind to me. I'm tying my best. 💪❤️ 👍