Burned out at 21? Too your for that. Most engineers burn out in 30s/40s. I'd suggest one of: 1) Stop working for startups. Get a job at some boring enterprise

Burned out at 21? Too your for that. Most engineers burn out in 30s/40s. I'd suggest one of: 1) Stop working for startups. Get a job at some boring enterprise company. This might give you a) pay rise (big boring corps pay more than startups) and b) better work life balance 2) college - no reason not to go to college, you are still very young so this is ideal time, it will get harder and harder the older you get 3) travel - I assume you have saved some cash before you have burned out. Take few months off, go travel to some interesting countries, explore the world. Or any combination of these three would probably work out well for you. Probably best order would be 3), then 2), then 1).