[nicholas73]

One thing that doesn't seem to have been said is that there can be a big gap in expectations coming out of college and into the workforce. You may have imagined/been promised the world studying hard problems, and are now a cog in a cube doing scrap work. That's a hard psychological transition.

This is a hard reality to adjust to and navigate. A lot of it has to do with figuring out what you really want and need. Many on HN then dream of having a side project take off. Others maybe want a high status job. Later, some decide family is more important and want work/life balance.

It's not just the job but designing the lifestyle you want and how to get there. The lack of that idea is what's really causing the anxiety at work.