Ask HN: Any freelancers here? I need burnout advice

#1

Post by __jambo » Thu, Aug 03, 2023, 4:38 PM UTC

I have about 3 Yoe webdev/+physics/mech eng degree. Worked a few contracts then my own Saas thing, now pretty burned out. Don't really need funding or a team, just a bit of time.

Was thinking to just to dumb manual labour while I recover/finish my product. I don't think I can hack a 3 month job hunt for a "legit" job and I feel like taking tech contracts will also create a lot of mental overhead since I'm in the headspace for my own work right now.

Maybe tutoring would be better than Ubereats gig work, but honestly a lot of software contracts seem to be turned into BS gig work and at least with manual labour you are doing something real.

Looking for validation and ideas.

Re: Ask HN: Any freelancers here? I need burnout advice

#2

Post by _mlvljr » Thu, Aug 03, 2023, 4:48 PM UTC

Can still take contract jobs focusing on something you know very well, doesn't pose that much of a burden -- no learning involved, less stress.

Re: Ask HN: Any freelancers here? I need burnout advice

#3

Post by akamaka » Thu, Aug 03, 2023, 4:51 PM UTC

The unemployment rate is at a multi-decade low, so there’s never been a better time find a random job in an non-software area.

If it were me, I’d go work as a barista in San Francisco for 3 months and master my latte arts skills, while also getting exposed to the tech scene out there.

Re: Ask HN: Any freelancers here? I need burnout advice

#4

Post by tony_cannistra » Thu, Aug 03, 2023, 4:51 PM UTC

I am not a freelancer, so you can stop reading if you want. But I'd like to validate your burnout, which is very real.

It's also incredibly refreshing to do something totally different. I would choose wisely, though. Not really the same situation, but I went and became a naturalist guide at a nature preserve between my undergrad computer science degree and my Ph.D. Working outside not only totally refreshed me but gave me much-needed perspective. I think something similar can be said for pouring beers or delivering food.

Re: Ask HN: Any freelancers here? I need burnout advice

#5

Post by akhayam » Thu, Aug 03, 2023, 4:52 PM UTC

I would recommend doing Mechanical Turk work: https://www.mturk.com/.

It'll give you ideas for your next gig as well.

Re: Ask HN: Any freelancers here? I need burnout advice

#6

Post by bigasscoffee » Thu, Aug 03, 2023, 4:52 PM UTC

If you're burnt, the best thing to do to fix that is take time off. Try walking (1hr/day) with out your phone and just disconnect to see if that helps immediately. Try to spend more time outside or in nature if possible to help you decompress and recover faster.

Re: Ask HN: Any freelancers here? I need burnout advice

#7

Post by slashdev » Thu, Aug 03, 2023, 4:53 PM UTC

How low can you get your expenses? What’s your savings?

Doing gig work might be fine if it helps you survive long enough. If you’re unwilling to get your expenses low enough though, then that’s not even on the table.

Always plan for more time than you need. If you need three months, make sure you have an extra six of padding, if you can. You may need it if forced into the job search or something unexpected happens.

Re: Ask HN: Any freelancers here? I need burnout advice

#8

Post by moralestapia » Thu, Aug 03, 2023, 4:53 PM UTC

You need a vacation.

Do you have some money saved up? If so, just take a vacation.

Re: Ask HN: Any freelancers here? I need burnout advice

#9

Post by 23B1 » Thu, Aug 03, 2023, 4:54 PM UTC

When I was burned out I dedicated myself to learning something completely outside of my current context. I plan on doing this regularly now, maybe every 2-3 years. On my docket is:

- Woodworking

- Cooking - especially baking, since it can be extremely challenging to create the 'perfect' baguette or croissant

- Gardening

- Writing a novel

etc.

Best solution for burnout IMO is to completely refresh your mind with something that is challenging but low-stress.

Re: Ask HN: Any freelancers here? I need burnout advice

#10

Post by leros » Thu, Aug 03, 2023, 4:54 PM UTC

I have a few thoughts:

1) Can you afford to live off a manual labor job? If so, that might be a good approach since you can work that manual labor job and still have mental energy afterwards to work on your SaaS. It's much harder doing mental tech work after already doing mentally taxing work at your job.

2) If you do contracting, does it have to be full time? Presumably you could make more money doing tech contracting than a manual labor job, so if you could work 10-20 hours a week contracting, you'd still have time left for your SaaS.

3) Regardless of your approach to earning money, you need to set aside time for self-care. You need to be sleeping, relaxing, socializing, and sometimes relaxing by doing nothing. It might seem like time not dedicated to your work, but you need to work in a sustainable way as you're finding out.