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Ask HN: How do you recharge your batteries?

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Re: Ask HN: How do you recharge your batteries?

#51

For anyone else fooled by this title and disappointed this isn't actual rechargable battery content here are some good reviews: The Best Rechargeable Battery Charger (for AA and AAA Batteries) https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-rechargeable... ( https://archive.ph/6Z5nG ) The Best Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-rechargeable... ( https://archive.ph/vGvg1…

Yeah. I was viewing the comments link.

Title: How do you recharge your batteries?

Reply [1]: "You are never alone. You didn’t choose to come into existence-at the very least, your parents (and others who raised you) will always have a physical and emotional bond of care and concern for you..."

And I'm thinking wow that's a whole another level of orthogonal...

[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31787637

Re: Ask HN: How do you recharge your batteries?

#52
post #16

1. Just a suggestion: How about trying some mindfulness exercises? I realized I could focus better after 15-20 minutes of meditation. I am sure something similar might be available given how popular meditation is nowadays. You could try the headspace app - AFAIK, there are 10 (3~8 min) free short sessions. You can build up on that. 2. Also please open up to a core group of friends. That works as good as counseling. K…

Fixed that last paragraph: You are never alone. You didn’t choose to come into existence-at the very least, your parents (and others who raised you) will always have a physical and emotional bond of care and concern for you. They likely know you very well and want to see you thrive. No matter how alone you feel, keep in mind that the emotions you experience, and even the general challenges you face, will 100% have be…

Thanks but no. The dismissive nature of your initial comment is irksome. As someone who has lived through a very similar phase, I would find your words encouraging but not very helpful personally. But then it is subjective.

I meant every word in the philosophical sense. While sharing what you feel and experience is good, it doesn't take away the fact that each one has a slightly different experiences, takeaways and optics & their alone. My goal was not to give a obligatory advice (like the usual case), but give a reality check that we alone experience what we are going through and rise up to the occasion.

Let me share: I had experience with therapy for suicidal depression twice. My parents were supportive but due to generational gaps, they couldn't empathize. I don't blame them. They are well meaning, like 90% parents. But they never could internalize what depressed me, although they knew what bothered me. The counseling made little difference. The medications made it worse. I learnt the hard way how I thought of my problem was unique to me. No one could put themselves in my shoes. My pain was mine alone. And I had to wade through it to get better. A lot of people confuse professional help to be the sum and solution to their mental issue, until it is late. Counseling was like a 'mental walking stick'. I have shuffled through a dozen therapists to know it will only help so much. Well meaning advice is great, but well meant reality-check is better. I mean to convey 'he is his best help and needs re-evaluating/rethinking how to brace with the issue in hand'. No one will solve his problems - at best cheer for him or handhold him. But he will have to walk the path. And it is okay to understand that people won't always get it 100%.

You and I look at hardship differently and choose to share our empathy differently as well. Your opinion is valuable for the OP too. I respect that. But to say "Fixed it" just shows you abjectly dismissed someone's viewpoint & suffering as worthless. To each his own. If this approach helped you in life, I am glad it worked for you. It did not for me. I will stand by my last paragraph - it is meant for the OP.

Re: Ask HN: How do you recharge your batteries?

#53
Any advice you get here will at most be useful for those people who are occasionally suffering from low energy during the normal course of life.

You, as you yourself stated, are having a total burnout. You need professional help. Try looking for different kinds of help if the waiting list is too long for what you need the most. Some kind of group therapy perhaps, somebody who is helping people build up strength after Long Covid perhaps. Consider moving back to be with your family or another group of people who will be supportive.

If doing a masters and having a 30 hours job at the same time has brought you to a burnout (triggered perhaps by some other events in your life). Then you can't recover while you keep on doing those two. Something will have to go (the job, or the study) while you recover. That is a very difficult thing to face and accept, but once the body and the mind has a breakdown after prolonged stress, there is no other way to recover. Any advice you get to get you back on your feet in two weeks is for the normal "pushed yourself a bit too much for a few months or a year" cases.

Re: Ask HN: How do you recharge your batteries?

#54

There are often health issues that need to be fixed first, but besides that: - Take a minimum of two weeks off, preferably more. That's how long it takes to start to disconnect. If you need to borrow some money, do it. - Start exercising in the morning, minor weight-lifting is good. - Go for long hikes in the park... really long, the kind where your "dogs are barkin'" later that night. Great way to clear the mind as…

Forgot to mention "Fight Club" ... maybe some martial arts, boxing, bjj, etc. We weren't built to live in the office.
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