if the reason to not apply YC is "time consuming and soul crashing at the end", we should not even consider starting a startup at all.

for us, we apply because we realize how much we can learn (why do we know before even get in? i have talked to a lot of YC alum, and 90% of them that i talked to are independent and in-depth thinkers, who suggest me to look at things from different angles. and we could only imagine how much more we can grow if we get in).