Freedom to feel vs Freedom from responsibility. Mental health as a crutch...Let's chat!!

As we approach Freedom Day, we reflect on what it means to be free. Freedom has given us the ability to speak, to build, to choose, and to express ourselves more openly, especially when it comes to mental health. That is progress. That is necessary. And that must be protected.

Mental health is real. It is serious. And for many, it is a daily battle that requires support, care, and often professional help. Those who are genuine should be taken seriously and supported properly.

We are living in a time where the language of mental health is increasingly being used in spaces like the workplace and entrepreneurship. While this has created awareness, it has also created a grey area where, in some cases, mental health becomes a shield rather than a space for healing. There is a growing tension that we cannot ignore. In some spaces, the language of mental health is being used not just for healing but for avoidance.

• Avoiding accountability

• Avoiding difficult conversations

• Avoiding the discipline required to grow

In the workplace and in business, expectations do not disappear simply because we are not feeling at our best. Deadlines still exist. Clients still expect delivery. Teams still rely on one another to perform. Cash flow still needs to be managed. This does not mean that people should ignore their mental health or push themselves to the breaking point. It does, however, require understanding the difference between genuinely needing support and avoiding accountability.

My unpopular opinion: not every moment of discomfort is a mental health crisis. Growth is uncomfortable. Being stretched is uncomfortable. Receiving feedback, fixing mistakes, and showing up consistently when things are not easy are uncomfortable. If we begin to label every form of discomfort as something to avoid, we risk stalling our own development.

For Entrepreneurs

This discomfort becomes even more critical in entrepreneurship. Building a business is not a comfortable process. It requires consistency, discipline, and the ability to show up even when you would rather not. As an entrepreneur, you are not only responsible for your own output; you are responsible for people, for systems, and for outcomes that extend beyond your personal feelings on any given day. There will be moments where you need to pause and take care of yourself, but there will also be many moments where the work needs to be done.

So what does balance look like as an entrepreneur? The balance lies in understanding that taking care of your mental health and taking responsibility are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they should work together. From what I’ve experienced, the balance looks a bit like this:

• Setting boundaries

• Resting with intention

• Building systems that reduce chaos

• Seeking professional help

Avoiding accountability looks like:

• Dodging feedback

• Delaying action and

• Rebranding procrastination as self-care

Here's my opinion: Freedom gives us the ability to choose how we respond to our circumstances. It does not remove the need to respond altogether. So, as we reflect on this Freedom Day, perhaps the more important question is not whether we are free to feel because freedom is already ours.

The real question is whether we are using that freedom to grow or to avoid.

Yours in freedom,

The Business Doctor Keitumetse Lekaba