Poll: Are you burnt out?
This is a question that gets asked quite regularly here on HN and I think it would be interesting to see what kind of results we can gather.
I don't think this is fair. Many of these people are young. When you are young, life can feel hard. If you asked me when I was in my 20's if I liked work, I would have answered on the verge of tears that I hated work, and was tired out from it. I had good jobs, and good workmates, and am relatively smart. But life is hard sometimes. Looking back, I would say that the hardest things in your 20's are that you don't yet relate to people well (you don't know how to understand their motivation, or how to forgive their different views), and that your taste for quality work exceeds your skill at producing it. These are very tiring things to deal with.
But stick with it, you get better, work feels easier, and you start to enjoy it again.
My advice to myself if I could speak to myself at 25 would be to worry a little less, be proud of the things which you have produced, not to compare yourself to people 15 years your senior, and not to try and achieve fame and fortune by the age of 30. Remember to drink plenty of water (not too much alcohol) and eat your greens, get proper rest and exercise. Proper rest includes daily sleep, and regular holidays, and sick days when you need it. Don't be afraid to use a counseling service if you need guidance.
I hope this helps a young person who is feeling burnt out. Our industry needs people who care about what they do. Keep trying, but do look after yourself.
[1] http://mindfulnext.org/disengaged-burned-out-or-bored-out/
[1] And then very creative/full of energy, and back to burn out..