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

Have you considered that doing something scary might be a good thing?

Hmmm... you've just reminded me that I ought to be drinking more milk...

It doesn't really matter what you choose, it's more important to simply get going on something. As for "finding yourself" I think being social and doing something outside your usual norms are what point you back to who you are the fastest.

> I'd ride my bike across the continent from Vancouver to Halifax (I don't own a bicycle and haven't ridden one in years)

I can recommend a long bike trip. I rode from Canada to Mexico between September and November 2010. I've been a 'cyclist' most of my life, but don't ride all that far nor often. Take it slowly and build up the miles gradually. I had never done more than a two day bike-camping trip, and met several people with zero bicycle touring and negligible general cycling experience.

I would buy a good selection of maps and, if it's feasible in the areas to be crossed, an Internet-connected device. Couch surfing would be ideal, since it keeps costs down and provides precious social interaction. Canadian camp sites are expensive.

Also, bring an iPod stocked with audio books, courses, or something else to engage your brain (I found a "This American Life" collection invaluable). Music is nice, but when you're grinding up the tenth hill of the day at 3mph, it's nice to let your legs do the work while your brain focuses on what you're listening to.

If you are genuinely interested in this and have no idea where to start, let me know. I think you could get all your touring needs together for $2,000 or less.

Relax. After a month you'll be in a much better place to evaluate. You should focus solely in that month on doing little things you've been meaning to do. eg. Spending more time with friends / family. Going to see that exhibit you've been meaning to. Watching a movie you just haven't had time for.

I took time and founded a startup but it wasn't until a week ago (9 months from the start that I really found the right niche)

It sounds like your in Vancouver, I am as well let me know if you want to grab a coffee and have a more in depth discussion. Also, have you spoken to your doctor about SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)? Around Feb/March of every year is when I want to make drastic changes to my life, I've sort of chalked it up to SAD and have made a point to get outside during the sunshine more often.

The ideas that you think are crazy are probably whats going to snap you out of your funk. Think of doing something crazy as making yourself available for new ideas, opportunity and inspiration. I can tell you that if you bike from Vancouver to Halifax you're probably going to meet some very cool people doing interesting things. Those interactions will probably drive your next idea. It will flood your head with experiences and environment that few other people have. I just wouldn't start any big new projects until you've given yourself a month to evaluate in a de-stressed environment.

I was depressive and was retrenched in 2009 due to the company meeting bank demands. I ended up spending my retrenchment money travelling - I'm from Australia, and I always wanted to travel coast-to-coast across the US. I spent three months doing it, and had a total about about three crappy days. Every other day was awesome, just travelling at my own speed and exploring another country.

I was significantly reinvigorated, and I'm very much the 'sit at the computer' type of person. So yeah, I recommend travel.

Also because when else are you going to get the chance to spend some serious time travelling?