A Woman Gynecologist’s Honest Take on Entrepreneurship, Emotions & Energy

Low Mood. Dull Days. And the Business Still Has to Run.

Not every day in business is a picture-perfect Instagram story. Like you see, in most of our stories, where we upload only the nice part. Behind every smiling photo with a patient and a baby, there goes a lot of uninhibited yelling, crying, gentle no’s, possible cursing.

And when it’s a fertility win, there could have been ill number of trial and errors, a constant follow up that makes me go crazy, the non response to the treatment protocols that almost makes me give up etc.

Not every client session leaves you beaming. Not at all.

And certainly - not every morning feels like one where you’re ready to take on the world. First week of every month feels like a hot mess, with vendor payments, salaries, rents, and not every month is a cake walk. Some months feel like a never ending gravel.

As a gynecologist, women’s health advocate, and founder of a holistic wellness clinic in Chennai, I’ve learnt a vital truth the hard way:

Your energy is the foundation of your enterprise - but even when it’s low, the world doesn’t stop. And neither can you.

Welcome to the raw, unfiltered truth of women entrepreneurs in healthcare. The days when your hormones, heart, and head feel completely out of sync - and yet, your schedule is packed with consults, staff meetings, brand strategy calls, and 2 AM crisis WhatsApps.

Let’s be honest. The weight of it all can crush your spirit if you’re not careful.

But that doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human.

And today, I want to share the very human side of being a doctor, business owner, and woman - on low battery.

When You’re Not “On” - But You Still Have to Show Up

Running a women’s clinic in Chennai is fulfilling - and overwhelming.

From fertility consults and hormone imbalances to postpartum support and menopause management, I’m honored to be part of women’s most vulnerable and powerful moments. But what most people don’t see is the emotional bandwidth it takes to hold space for so many, while your own internal world is crashing.

There are days I wake up heavy.

No motivation.

Brain fog.

Hormonal swings.

Low mood for no visible reason.

And yet - my clinic doors open at 9 AM.

Whether you’re a gynecologist, a therapist, or a founder of any wellness venture, you know what I mean. You’re expected to always be the calm voice, the smiling face, the high-vibe healer.

But what happens when you’re the one who needs healing?

Why We Must Normalize Low Mood in Women Entrepreneurs

Mental health conversations are growing louder - but for women in business, especially in healthcare, there’s still a dangerous silence.

There’s shame around feeling low.

Guilt around saying, “I need a break.”

Fear that if we slow down, we’ll fall behind.

Pressure to be “the strong one” all the time.

But here’s what I’ve realized:

Low mood is not laziness.

Dull days are not disqualification.

Slowing down is not giving up.

Let’s normalize that not all days are high-vibe.

That being still is sometimes the most productive thing we can do.

That we can lead and build and grow - even from our soft, slow, silent spaces.

So, What Helps Me Cope When I Just Don’t Feel Like It?

Here are 5 tried and tested tools that genuinely help me keep going when I feel low - not because they magically erase the mood dip, but because they help me move through it with grace and awareness.

1. Micro-Movements Over Major Motivation

Let’s be real - when you’re in a low mood, the last thing you want is a gym session or a 6-step morning routine.

So I keep it simple:

I step out.

Walk to the nearby temple.

Do a gentle 108 pradakshina around my favorite deity.

This is sacred, silent therapy. It moves my body just enough to shake off the mental fog. And it reconnects me to something bigger - faith, surrender, meaning.

Micro-movements = micro-wins.

Enough to shift you out of limbo, without overwhelming you with pressure to “perform.”

2. Chai & Silence > Hustle & Noise

When the world gets too loud, I turn inward.

I have this corner - my go-to chai place - where I sit for 15 minutes, doing absolutely nothing. No scrolling. No calls. No content creation. Just me, my chai, and my breath.

Gratitude rises naturally in this space.

And I remind myself:

Work is important.

Growth is good.

But being okay is priority.

Chai is my therapy. And stillness is sacred.

3. Mood Journal - Not To-Do List

On low-energy days, my brain doesn’t want a checklist. It wants connection.

So I swap the to-do list for a mood journal.

I write:

• “I feel blank today.”

• “I’m anxious about this outcome.”

• “I don’t want to be around people right now.”

No judgment. Just honesty.

And somehow, in giving those feelings a name - I take away their power to derail me.

This practice is now part of my clinic culture. I encourage my patients, especially those dealing with hormonal issues, fertility challenges, or PCOS, to journal their moods alongside their physical symptoms.

Because mental health isn’t separate from physical health - it’s foundational to it.

4. Water, Protein & Magnesium - The Basics Never Fail

Here’s something most people don’t realize:

When you’re feeling off - tired, moody, foggy - it’s often not just “life stress.”

It could be hydration, nutrition, or mineral imbalance.

I’ve had days when I felt absolutely depleted, only to realize I hadn’t eaten enough food (let alone protein) in 3 days.

So now, I track three non-negotiables on tough days:

• Water intake: Aim for 2.5 - 3L minimum

• Protein intake: Simple fish or paneer-based meals

• Magnesium boost: Dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds, or supplements

And no - this isn’t a diet plan. It’s nervous system support.

Fuel your biology to stabilize your psychology.

5. Ask for Help. Without Guilt.

This one took me years to learn.

But I say it loud now - you don’t have to do it all alone.

There are days I simply tell my assistant, “I’m not at 100% today. Let’s reschedule this meeting.” Or I delegate tasks. Or I take a mental health half-day and let the team hold the fort.

I used to feel terrible asking for support.

Now, I see it as a sign of leadership.

Knowing your limits = respecting your energy = protecting your vision.

No guilt. No shame. Just awareness.

What My Clinic in Chennai Teaches Me Everyday

Running a holistic women’s wellness clinic in Chennai has taught me that health is multi-dimensional.

You can’t treat physical symptoms without addressing emotional trauma.

You can’t empower fertility without talking about mental health.

You can’t support hormonal balance without honoring daily rhythms and moods.

Whether I’m working with:

• A young woman with PCOS navigating self-esteem issues

• A new mother recovering from postpartum depression

• A working professional dealing with chronic fatigue

• Or a teenage girl with irregular cycles and academic stress

- it always comes back to one thing:

Mood and energy matter. Not just for patients, but for providers too.

Final Words: Your Low Mood Doesn’t Diminish Your Power

So if you’re reading this on one of your off days - let me say this gently, but clearly:

You are not behind.

You are not broken.

You are not less just because you’re slower today.

Whether you’re a gynecologist, therapist, coach, yoga teacher, or wellness brand founder - this space is for you.

We don’t always need hustle hacks or productivity tools.

Sometimes, we just need validation.

And a reminder that we’re still powerhouses - even on low-battery mode.

So pause. Breathe. Hydrate. Journal. Move slowly.

Ask for help. Light a candle. Walk to your temple.

Sip your chai. Cry if you need to.

But please - don’t quit on yourself.

Your mission still matters. Even when your mood doesn’t match it.

If You Liked This, Let’s Stay Connected

• 📍 Based in Chennai? Visit Birthwave Women’s Clinic - where healing meets holistic care.

• 🩺 Follow me on Instagram @dr.santoshin for more stories from the clinic, women’s wellness tips, and real behind-the-scenes as a woman entrepreneur.