Ask HN: Burned out. How can I make the most of a sabbatical leave?

That's kind of scary. How would I know that I'm not setting myself up for failure by putting up an impossible goal like that?

In my opinion you've probably worked too long and pushed too hard in a job that doesn't let your brain shut off. I get into similar situations when I'm focusing on my writing, I get to the point that I just can't shut my brain off. I'll resort to trying to relax, but I end up reading news and doing things that just keep my brain in that point of over exertion.

I resort to physical work, it still requires me to keep my focus but it doesn't require me to think nearly as much, in fact I'll find myself zoning out completely. I hand wash dishes and it gets me into the same zone where I don't have to think for 30-minutes.

If you've got property and you'll have no work commitments I would suggest learning how to maintain your property, there's lots of physical work that will release your mind and keep you away from things (IE technology) that will keep your mind in that exhausted state.

Build a shed, you'd be surprised how difficult it is to actually get it to sit level. You'll have to work the ground, then frame it and then side the walls and shingle the roof. It can be especially daunting if you've never done this sort of work, but it may be worth it to learn because not only is there economic benefits (IE you can do the work yourself rather than pay the 6x mark up companies charge from the cost of materials for this work) but 5 years down the line when you start recognizing you're feeling a bit burnt out you could use the skills you've learnt to put up a fence or something.

Physical work also has the added benefit that it helps your diet and metabolism, both of which can contribute to that burnout feeling. I'm not saying your diet will improve, I'm saying you're likely to end up eating more protein and fat, which certainly helps me. I always get into that burn-out feeling when I start eating more carbs.

Travel!

I recommend reading Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel.

Traveling can be extremely enlightening. If for no other reason than it will give you plenty of time to think. If you find yourself thinking about different startup ideas (like I do when I travel) then you know you are probably in the right line of work.

You will also open your mind up to a million other things that you probably weren't aware of before.

It sounds like your self-esteem could do with a boost. Other things may work better, but I'd suggest getting involved in some sort of craft group (make pottery or whatever). 1. It's hands-on and you'll be making and creating, so you'll get a real sense of accomplishment when, after a little while, you can look at something you made 2. Chose a group you feel welcomed in, and you'll get encouragement as you learn the ropes 3. It'll take time and some focus, but (depending on the craft you pick) it is entirely achievable.

Otherwise, the suggestions to exercise are great. Travel is also a great idea, but I'd say go somewhere and stay there for a week or month, get a sense of natural rhythm and pace. Also, try and just hang out and talk with some people, without any goals.

Good luck.

And so I stop. These aren't real goals; I recognize them as daydreaming. I'm already defeated before I've even begun.

And thats where you're going wrong. There's nothing stopping you from doing a single thing on your list besides you. Sometimes being naive about what it will take to accomplish something is actually whats needed to do it.

Not to mention most of the things on your list, while amazing experiences, take little more than minimal finances to do so. Pack a backpack, fly to vancouver and buy a bike and just start riding. Plan as you go. You could be biking across Canada by Tuesday and $1500 later if you wanted to.

Just because you don't donate money or pick up litter doesn't mean you can't go volunteer. There's plenty of organizations online you can look up, most of them will plan your trip from start to finish, you just put up the cash. Go teach english somewhere, provide medical assistance, build a school.

Stop focusing on what you are(n't) doing now, and have(n't) in the past. It takes little more than an idea or goal and the drive/desire to do it to make it come true. Clearly you feel that who you _think_ you are right now limits you to who you can be. That's not true at all. Do what you have to do to be the person you want to be. You only live once, don't let anything hold you back from being the person you want to be, and experiencing the things you've always wanted to. Live your life with no regrets. Every day you spend thinking "if only..." is another day wasted.

The good thing about this is you realize where you're at now and you're actively taking steps to improve your situation. Be strong, follow your dreams and dont get intimidated. Try and take a small step forward every day and in a few months you'll feel like a totally different person and in a way better place.