Option one, remove sources of stress, typically debt and/or investors; grow slowly and organically -- don't have employees until you can afford them. Option tw

Option one, remove sources of stress, typically debt and/or investors; grow slowly and organically -- don't have employees until you can afford them. Option two, reframe ordinarily stressful things to be less stressful. Stoic philosophy is probably a good start here. Adopt a mindset that does not require you to "be responsible for" your employees. (One possibility: there are plenty of independently wealthy people that will join the right project.) Reject self-flagellation -- the only person "blaming yourself" is you. I'm sure there are other options as well. Also consider that while being an employee may provide a sense of financial stability, it introduces other forms of stress, such as reduced autonomy.