If we put $200k on the table, in stacks of crisp clean bills, and said "This money is going to found a start-up", then four years later there's nothing left.... that stings.
On the other hand, suppose you (foolishly) frame things like the RIAA/MPAA do, that every lost opportunity is a real financial loss. And suppose you're smart enough to go and work for BigTech pulling in $100k/pa. But instead you take a part time job making $50k. You live on your wits while growing a business. If it doesn't work out after 4 years you still "lost" $200k. But it doesn't feel so bad. We chalk it up to "learning". That's what the University of Life charges for a full time course on Applied Entrepreneurship.
I'm guessing a lot of HN readers are of a similar mind, and I try to see the following your own map lifestyle that way. We all pay a lot for the privilege of creative freedom and opportunity risk.