Ask HN: I don't want to be a founder anymore
(source: I&#x27;ve twice left my own companies- both companies continued to grow and prosper after I left).<p>Personally, I&#x27;d suck it up and get the sale done, working hard to make the price as front-loaded as possible.  Depending on the buyers appetite for you to keep working there you could:<p>A) Suggest that you&#x27;re excited to stay with the business, but if they feel there&#x27;d be too many chefs in the kitchen and that you should phase out, you&#x27;d like to know about that now... i.e. open the door for them to express how critical you are to the deal.<p>B) If they DO really want you, push hard for a front-loaded deal (i.e. initial payout versus earn out) and then give notice 6 months after the deal closes.  You&#x27;ll leave some (maybe lots) of $ on the table, but who cares.  Selling a company isn&#x27;t indentured servitude.  Someone else owning the company might relieve some stress.  If it doesn&#x27;t, punt.<p>Broadly-- I&#x27;m a believer that happiness is generally internal. If you can&#x27;t find a way to be happy with this job, I suspect you&#x27;ll have a hard time with a different one. Starting ASAP, I&#x27;d make some changes to see if it makes a difference. Get therapy.  Try anti-depressants. Shut off your phone at 6pm and don&#x27;t open your computer. The sky won&#x27;t fall. Exercise. Meditate. Try psychedelic mushrooms (only half kidding-- there are some studies that one dose positively impacts depression and anxiety).  Eat better.  Go into work late AM twice a week so you can take a long walk with your wife. Schedule vacations. Go into the woods a lot (exposure to green space helps depression too).  I just read that doing tai chi helps with depression. Schedule weekly lunches with friends.