Can I handle a daily 996 work schedule?

Buddy, that's a great question. It shows you're seriously thinking about your life instead of just drifting along. I've been in this industry for quite a few years, seen too many people doing 996, and experienced it myself. Let me share my thoughts with you.

This isn't a simple "yes" or "no" question. It's more like asking yourself: "How much are you willing to give up to gain something?"

You need to ask yourself a few questions first:

1. Can your body handle it? This might sound like a cliché, but it's the most practical truth. How's your sleep quality? Can you get 6-7 hours of sleep daily? Do you exercise regularly? 996 primarily drains your physical health. Young people might think, "I'm young, it's fine," but this wear and tear is long-term and has "compound interest." By the time you feel something's wrong, it's often too late. If you're already in a sub-healthy state or don't have abundant energy, you really need to think twice. Your health is the foundation; without it, all your other achievements amount to nothing.

2. Is your mental "sustenance" sufficient? 996 means you pretty much say goodbye to your personal life. Social gatherings, hobbies, spending time with family, dating... all these will be severely compressed. These are precisely the things that recharge us mentally. You need to consider, when work pressure is immense and you're physically and mentally exhausted, what do you rely on to recover? Is it a hug from family, a drink with buddies, or two hours of gaming? If these "recharging" avenues disappear, people quickly go "mentally bankrupt," leading to burnout.

3. What are you doing it for? This is the most crucial question. People don't suffer for no reason.

For money? If the pay is indeed high enough that you feel "this suffering is worth it," then maybe. But you need to do the math: Is the hourly wage really worth it? Will the extra money be enough for future medical expenses? This is a very realistic trade-off.
For growth/career? If you're in a startup, working with industry leaders, and the project has great prospects, where you can truly learn and grow quickly, perhaps even with future equity returns, then 996 might be a shortcut. You're investing in your own future. But the prerequisite is that you must be sure this company and team are truly "worth it." Many companies only adopt the "illness" of big tech (overtime) without having their "destiny" (salary and prospects).
Because of passion? Yes, there are a very few people who genuinely love their work, getting so immersed they forget time. If you're one of them, congratulations, 996 might not be torture but enjoyment for you. But most people aren't.

4. What's the environment like? Even with 996, the experience can vary wildly.

"Effective" 996: The team communicates efficiently, tackles tough problems, everyone pulls together, and the project visibly progresses. This is tiring but fulfilling, bringing a sense of accomplishment.
"Ineffective" 996: During the day, people slack off in meetings, and at night, you don't dare leave before your boss, everyone just sits around wasting time, performing "show-off" overtime. This is the most draining; not only is your body tired, but your heart is even more so, filled with meaninglessness and resentment.

My advice to you:

Don't treat 996 as the norm. You can view it as a "sprint" during a specific phase, like a month or two before a project launch. But if a company treats 996 as a permanent, taken-for-granted system, then you should be wary. It indicates potential issues with its management and efficiency.
Set a deadline for yourself. For example, "I'll do this for a year, save some money/learn XX technology," and then re-evaluate. Having something to look forward to makes people less likely to break down.
Health is the bottom line. No matter what, if you feel your physical or mental state severely declining – such as chronic insomnia, low mood, or losing interest in everything – this is the strongest warning sign. At that point, money and career must take a backseat.

In summary, whether you can endure 996 is something only you can answer. First, think clearly about the questions above and weigh the pros and cons. This is essentially a transaction between you and life. If you clearly understand what you're giving and what you're getting, and you feel it's "worth it," then you can handle it. If you feel it's "not worth it," then decisively seek a path that suits you better.

There's more than one path; don't be too hard on yourself.