Ask HN: Business Is Making $400k / Year– Now I Don't Know What to Do with Myself

I know. Nice problem to have, right? But it's still a problem and I'm not really sure where else to talk about this.

I only need to spend the first 3 hours of my day working on my business. Then I'm pretty much done for the day.

For the last couple years I would spend the rest of my day working on other stuff— making music or new business ideas. I've always had new ideas. Motivation has never been a problem.

But recently I've had trouble caring about new ideas. I mean I spend a lot of time thinking about what to do next but things just feel different. There's no spark. I used to have trouble sleeping on Sunday nights because I was excited to work on Monday... That's no longer the case.

I work mostly by myself. I've been doing it for 6 years and it hasn't been a problem before but I'm starting to wonder if it's getting to me. I have friends and a lovely wife so I'm not lonely per say, but I'm starting to wonder if I'm missing the camaraderie of working on a team.

I don't think I'm depressed. I might just be describing burn out. I just don't know what to do about it. I probably need a sabbatical from work or something but I don't know how to do that. What do people do with themselves during the week when everyone else is working? Pottery classes? Woodworking? Should I go get my masters?

Any perspective or feedback would help. I'm 31 years old.

Sounds like you're successful and have many personal outlets such as your business, music, etc. So I don't think wood working or extra academia is the solution. It sounds like you need more social interaction. You don't necessarily have to work to work on a team. Volunteer, join a church, have some kids, join a club (running, soccer, whatever). Get out there and make your life more complex in a good way.

Also, I'm just a developer so take anything I say with a grain of salt.

Huh. Joining the board of a non-profit is a good idea. I always assumed I'd have to be asked to do that...

You're right, it's personal— guess I was just hoping someone recognized themselves in what I was describing.

What is your purpose? Drive? Worldview?

Take a step back, take another step back. Think of these things. Idk how old you are, but I am 26 and think about this stuff daily and often. Today is a rather dark day personally for me.

Right now I think human purpose is to continue building our technology as a species so that we can expand through space. But that really doesn't help the day-to-day stuff

Try this subreddit’s archives: https://old.reddit.com/r/fatFIRE/. You’ll find many similar questions and answers.