Skip to content

Comment on Ask HN: How do you know if you're burnt out or just being lazy?

Comments

I saw an interesting human-interest piece on TV over the weekend. It was about one of the cofounders of Cisco. She lives on an 800-acre farm and spends her time being a farmer.

The reporter asked her about her 40-room mansion. What's it like to live there?

She said, "I don't know. I never live there. I live in an old wooden cabin in the woods"

This led to a cute exchange: "Are you eccentric?

"Yes, I am, but only because I have money. Before I was just weird"

I was laughing when she hit me with the real punch line. "I find that if I stay active, thinking, struggling with problems that I am the most happy"

I think a lot of what we might call "lazy" or "burnt-out" is really low-level depression. Are you struggling, thinking, actively engaging in some problem that you love? If so, the words "work" or "lazy" doesn't really mean much. If not, then can you allocate some part of your life where you are?

There's nothing wrong with not wanting to do things you don't like doing. The real question is whether you can engage yourself to struggle and think with some part of life that you encounter. If so, then do that. If not, then that sounds a lot like being depressed to me.

> "Yes, I am, but only because I have money. Before I was just weird"

Not sure about the history of this woman but I am sure that she didn't inherit the money, she made it.

Daniel made no indication that she inherited it or otherwise didn't earn it.

That particular statement reflects a lot of experience and maturity and I was just appreciating that. Nothing to do with Daniel.

AboutSource Built by g1lg1l

Hackerly is an independent reader for Hacker News, built on the public HN API. Not affiliated with Y Combinator.