You need a break from work and proper medical attention.
Go speak to a doctor about if they can help you get the right papers so you can get an income and days off. That’s what the procedure is in Sweden.
Ask HN: I think I’ve burnt out. What should I do?
11–20 of 172 posts
Re: Ask HN: I think I’ve burnt out. What should I do?
#12Why does every single "Ask HN" get downvoted?
Re: Ask HN: I think I’ve burnt out. What should I do?
#13In my experience, when I'm burnt out, I find a new side project to get excited about. Excitement in one area of my life bleeds into others. I've worked on new apps, starting a company, woodworking projects, training my dog. Whatever it is, find something that awakens you again. It's best if you can see it possibly leading to a new career. That way it'll give you hope for and ownership over your future.
Re: Ask HN: I think I’ve burnt out. What should I do?
#14Priotize health for sure. That's the base. Everything else will come easier on a foundation of good health.
Re: Ask HN: I think I’ve burnt out. What should I do?
#15Sorry to hear you are going through this. I'm going through a crisis myself. I left a bad workplace a few months ago, and took some time off. Now that I'm back in job search mode, I'm also going through some physical health issues and the added stress has given me a lot of anxiety. I've tried meditation, yoga, etc. and nothing is helping. I'm having real physical symptoms and everyone is telling me it's all anxiety, but I am not sure.
It is scary to step away from a job, because the uncertainty can be overwhelming. But if you have a good support system (friends/parents/etc), I would leave the job and focus on your health, it's more important than anything else as it affects everything you do/feel.
Re: Ask HN: I think I’ve burnt out. What should I do?
#16Someone quipped, "how does one untoast bread?" when asked about recovering from professional burnout.
I've been strung up on whether this was flippant, or insightful.
Re: Ask HN: I think I’ve burnt out. What should I do?
#17Do you do any psychological therapy? I don't think you can pull through such a crisis alone or by working hard. I have had similar situations in the past and I have learned that mental well-being is the most important thing. Trying to power through usually doesn't work. Also: When I had trouble I was too embarrassed to tell anybody but actually talking about it is very therapeutical.
I’ve been embarrassed to be honest and also, I suppose, being dishonest with myself and coping with the stress in extremely stupid ways, just being with friends all the time because I really don’t like being alone and having to process everything.
My plan is to go to my psychiatrist tomorrow morning, I spent today with my bestie to firstly relax and sort my thoughts out, and told her about some of what’s been going on, but, ultimately, I thought a post to a tech community I respect was a good idea. It’s probably the clearest-headed move I’ve done in a bit.
I’m also going through some significant dental pain after a surgery atm as well, so, to be honest, life’s been easier. >.<
Re: Ask HN: I think I’ve burnt out. What should I do?
#18Dumb question: But have you taken a longish vacation? And I mean one that's 3-4 weeks or more that has nothing to do with work?
Re: Ask HN: I think I’ve burnt out. What should I do?
#19There is a possibility you could take a short term leave combined with a honest vacation where you do nothing but sit and collect dust. Time in nature without distraction is a big help I find. I wish you all the best, remember to be nice to yourself as you are to others.
Unfortunately, there’s a lot of responsibility I’ve got to take care of, and a vacation is not an immediate option. I’m going to need to step up my mental health care in a serious way, and that will require staying in the city (Toronto).
In my mind, it would seem that unscheduled time off on your terms nowish is preferable to maybe having unscheduled time off on uncertain terms when you hit your limits.
Work can be a place to escape what's going on in life while processing, but if it's causing anxiety too, it's not helping and a break may be useful.
Re: Ask HN: I think I’ve burnt out. What should I do?
#20Priotize health for sure. That's the base. Everything else will come easier on a foundation of good health.
Thanks so kindly for the confidence of this statement. I feel like I’m gaslighting myself - if that makes any sense. So many confusing lines of thought that all seem valid, that settling on one just seems tough.