Why Success Feels Lonely (And What To Do About It)

"You're in it together, then you're on a pedestal, then you're a statue."

In this Post Bag episode, James and Freddie Birley tackle one of the most honest questions we've received: Why does success often feel more isolating than the early startup days?

From sitting in rubbish pubs with your first team believing in the vision, to suddenly being on a pedestal where everyone expects you to have all the answers, to becoming a "company relic" that new hires have never even met - the journey of scaling can be lonely.

But here's what makes this conversation different: we don't just acknowledge the loneliness; they show you why it's normal, why it sometimes serves you, and most importantly, how to fill that deficit in your life.

Together we unpack:

• Why early-stage camaraderie is so powerful (and why it can't last forever)
• The three stages of founder isolation: in it together → on a pedestal → becoming a statue
• Why your team can't be your friends at a certain scale (and that's okay)
• How projections and expectations create distance even when you're surrounded by people
• The trap of trying to "get back" to your old life vs creating a new one
• Why vulnerability is required to build new connections (even when it's uncomfortable)
• Practical strategies for re-cultivating connection outside your business

👆 If you've ever felt like you've scaled yourself into isolation, or you're five years in and realizing you've lost touch with everyone outside your business - this conversation will help you see it differently.

More from James:

Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com