Since many of you seemed interested in reading more about this, here’s my first-week reflection.
My first week at a startup felt less like startin...
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I really enjoyed reading this. It felt familiar. My own startup experience started in a very similar way, and that early freedom to experiment and wear many hats was incredibly exciting!
Looking back, my mistake was not building balance early enough. I went all-in on work, and by around the 5-6 month mark I was pretty burned out. That experience taught me how important it is to protect space for things outside of work from the beginning 😊
Your writing is so authentic. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for reading! I'll take what you learnt as a reminder to make time for things outside of work as well.
This really resonates. What you’re describing feels like that quiet shift from performing employability to actually doing the work, and that change alone is huge.
I like how you frame the lack of rigid boundaries as motion rather than chaos. In early-stage environments, clarity often comes after movement, not before it. You don’t get handed a lane — you discover one by removing friction. That’s a muscle you can’t really train anywhere else.
The part about the internal noise slowing down hit especially hard. Job searching turns your identity into a backlog of “am I enough yet?” questions. Being embedded in real constraints, with real people, doing real things, gives your mind something solid to push against again. That grounding is underrated.
Also appreciate the honesty about trade-offs. Startups don’t just take time, they reallocate it — and learning to accept that not everything compounds at once is a real maturity milestone. Ambition without panic is a tricky balance, but it sounds like you’re finding it.
Light, thoughtful reflection. Feels like the kind of week that doesn’t look dramatic from the outside but quietly rewires how you operate.
Thank you for reading and giving such valuable feedback! Really appreciate it.
Totally agree! One week at a startup often feels like a month elsewhere. Great insights.
Thank you for reading!! Glad you liked it!
Really enjoyed this. Learning fast and adapting seems to be the key in startup environments.
Glad you liked it! Thank you for reading!
Really relatable! Love how you captured the balance between momentum and reflection. First weeks at startups are a wild mix of chaos and growth, and it sounds like you’re navigating it thoughtfully
Woohoo thanks for reading it through and your words of appreciation good sir!
Getting a chance to work on something which you find interesting is a privilege.
Just keep on doing what you are doing and you will thrive in the industry.
It sure is and I'm grateful for whatever comes my way, as it is either an opportunity or a lesson.
Great Read!
Thank you for reading!
Love the point about titles mattering less than momentum. In a startup, the 'code' is only half the battle; the rest is just finding where the friction is and greasing the gears. It’s a specific kind of 'building phase' that changes how you think about problem-solving. Don't worry about 'getting a life' just yet—the 0 to 1 phase is where the best stories (and bugs) are made. Great read.
Thank you for reading and supporting me through this comment! Really helps keep my spirits up!
I’m glad to hear you’re doing well in the first week of your new job. I know you’re super clever and will get used to your new role in no time. Good luck!🫡
Yes thank you! I'll do my best!
Thoughtful article !
Thank you for reading!
This resonated a lot. Especially the shift from “being employable” to actually solving real problems — that grounding is underrated. Sounds like you’re navigating the chaos with awareness, which is probably the hardest skill to learn early on. Wishing you a solid learning curve ahead
Thank you for reading and the well wishes @sunny_anand_dev !!
Yeah.. one learn more in the chaos of a startup week than in a quarter at a giant firm because you are defined by your impact, not just your title.
Exactly, but the dilemma of which is better for me is still there...
Hmm, that’s common for all ig :)
Very thoughtful article, almost philosophical, good way to reflect on things!
Thank you for reading!
Wonderful post!!
Thank you for reading!
Wow, Congrats on your new experience
Thanks alot!
This post offers an insightful reflection on the startup experience, highlighting the fluidity and adaptability required when stepping into a fast-moving environment. The author shares how wearing multiple hats quickly became normal rather than overwhelming, and how a startup’s momentum fosters a sense of growth and learning.
The key takeaway is the importance of staying flexible, managing internal noise, and balancing ambition with personal well-being.
It’s a valuable reminder that while the startup journey can be intense, it also offers unique opportunities to learn and grow, both professionally and personally.