Ask HN: My company has been acquired and I'm kicked out. What should I do now?

> Also consider psychotherapy to deal with what looks like ruminations and generally poor self-esteem.

While I might not have put it that way, I +1 this. OP doesn't sound like a failure to me. Mental exhaustion from trying to keep the lights on at a start-up can definitely take its toll. I know I have similar thoughts when I've been burning the candle at both ends for too long.

Recommendations as follows:

1) Find a tolerable way to generate cash flow before you need it. Taking a few months off is probably a good idea, but taking 11 months off if you have a year's worth of savings will cause you stress down the road. I'd look at platforms like Toptal and Catalant, where you can find quality clients who pay well. And, many/most of the projects on those platforms are of the 15-20 hrs/week variety (ie that's the max they would want you to work), so you'd have time to figure out next moves.

2) Regardless of your level of physical fitness, get more physically fit. I'm not saying don't go to Costa Rica or Mykonos for a couple weeks and live a little...definitely do that (family obligations permitting). But generally speaking, anecdotal observation of MANY friends who have been through similar situations suggests that people tend to neglect physical fitness in these kinds of situations (especially if you were working out in a company facility). One advantage of having time off isn't just the volume of time itself, but the predictability of your free time. Now is your opportunity to get into (or further into) BJJ or Crossfit or yoga or whatever -- you will build a lot more camaraderie with the crew wherever you end up training if you go there consistently at the same time.

3) Somewhat related to exercise - find fun things to be disciplined about. Make a reading list and hold yourself to it. Devote an hour a day to learning a new language (computer or human). Not only will you learn more stuff but it's really helpful for your overall motivation levels to reset your orientation around "I have to do this thing at this time" to fun activities rather than drudgery.

4) Invest time in your relationship with your significant other/kids/dating life (as applicable). Most people -- whether it's your wife of 10 years or the guy you met at Starbucks yesterday -- appreciate a dinner cooked from $20 of groceries to a $200 dinner at a Michelin starred restaurant. If you have a significant other, they've probably dealt with numerous cases of "hey sorry I'm really stressed I just want to come home, smoke some pot, eat some takeout, watch Game of Thrones and pass out". If this was the norm for you with your previous job, time to break out of that pattern.

Well, my latest startup failure left me with around $50k personal debt, some legal pursuits, expired residence visa in the country I lived in, and a 3 months old baby daughter to care and provide for. And right, no job and no upcoming interviews.

I am sorry for a probably uninvited comparison — I am not implying that my situation is harder, and I know that burnout is a serious shit. It takes months to recover.

Some things to consider:

1) Even if you feel like a failure, you are not. You are a success. Our feelings are not a reliable indicator of personal value, especially after burning out.

2) Try to do something where you can feel small improvements every few days, with enough runway before productivity plateau. Running, meditation, skateboarding, playing guitar, rock climbing — whatever looks the most interesting to you, and looks easy enough (it's important). Regularly feeling improvements in any activity is the best therapy I know.

You've probably built up a decent skillset that would be valuable to a growing startup, if you're interested in working for someone else for a change. Don't be discouraged that you're not an "expert" in any one field... being able to wear a lot of hats is a good thing for startups and small companies. If, for example, you joined a company as an engineer, your experience in other areas like product design will help you work with and understand the product designers there.

Joining a larger company than the one's you've founded might help round out your skills, too.

Most tech startups fail... yours failing doesn't make you a failure. Your other option is to take what you've learned along the way and try again. I've you've previously founded solo, it may be worth thinking about trying again with a partner or two, if there are some candidates to do that with that you've met along the way. They can help with skills and experience you don't have, and can help keep you motivated when you're feeling down.

(2) is very important advice.

Don't worry about the big picture.

Every day, find yourself some wins and celebrate them.

Maybe it's something as small as brushing your teeth. Dental hygene rocks -- go you!

Or leaving the house and going to Starbucks, even if only to browse Reddit. Hey, getting out that door can be a big challenge.

Maybe it's going for a run or a hike. You totally owned that half-mile.

Whatever it is, write it down in a list, and look at yesterday's list every morning.

Every accomplishment, no matter how small, is a step forward.

Celebrate the fact that you made that step, and didn't give up.

One more thing:

I don't know where you, the OOP, are, mentally.

So while burnout is serious shit, depression is even more serious shit.

And we don't talk about it enough in the tech community.

Whenever I move to a new country, I immediately identify a local English-speaking hospital and dental practice. Because if I ever need them, I will need them on a very tight timeframe.

So, I would invest a little time and find a quality psychiatrist. Somebody that you feel comfortable talking to, and that gives you good advice.

Do what you would do with any professional service, and shop around until you find one you really like.

That way, if you ever really do hit rock bottom, you know where you can go, and don't need to start searching when you're in no shape to do so.