Ask HN: How are you getting through (and back from) burning out?

I quit my job. Had some garage sales. Went on some road trips. Now I freelance. I can work hard for good clients, and when the project is over I can take a couple of months off.

I work remotely in a relatively low cost of living area. I have one car and a 800 sq ft house. Life doesn't have to be that hard.

I'm 33, and I haven't been able to find a job in the past 2 years.

I've pretty much given up on working in the mainstream economy.

What makes me most angry is that all those years people made money off of me and exploited my tendency to work blindly to exhaustion.

I sure as shit not going to work for crumbs anymore, the 9-5, the whole work to live mentality so many of my peers have.

It means that I'm going to have to do things that are socially reprehensible but make a great payday.

I justify this for all shit I've taken for the past 15 years.

When society fucks you, you fuck it right back and profit off of it. This is what YC taught me.

   Fill your bowl to the brim
   and it will spill.
   Keep sharpening your knife
   and it will blunt.
   Chase after money and security
   and your heart will never unclench.
   Care about people's approval
   and you will be their prisoner.

   Do your work, then step back.
   The only path to serenity.

Rest - like really rest. I'm usually very guilty of never sleeping enough so when I do this I try to sleep a full 7.5-8 hours a night, sometimes more. I also take a week or two off from exercise to supplement the rest so my body can physically recover. But keep waking up at your normal time, just go to bed earlier (unless you're already getting enough sleep).

Perhaps use one of the weeks to take a vacation if the budget, timing, etc. allows for it.

Allow yourself unplanned time where you can do whatever you want. Whether that be driving around aimlessly listening to music (which I love to do), reading a few books you wanted to but never got around to, or deciding on a whim to go somewhere or do something specific.

Allow time for yourself to just let your mind wander. This isn't really possible when your phone constantly distracts you so keep that in mind. I do some of my best thinking when I can just allow my mind to wander and ignore my phone for hours on end. Also consider meditation if that's your thing (not really my thing). Related to this is allowing yourself time to just sit in silence. I don't know why but I find it very soothing and restorative - maybe because I have young children who are loud.

Do something for someone else. Maybe your mother needs something done in the house. Maybe your friend needs help moving. Maybe you just want to volunteer a day or two for Habitat for Humanity. Doesn't have to be huge but seems to be good for the soul. But make sure it's something you actually have to do - don't just cut a check to some 401c entity.