Take breaks when you need to! Don't give yourself deadlines and goals unless they're actually obtainable. I've seen people quit writing completely when they did not meet their own unrealistic goals. This is not a competition to see who can publish the most books the fastest. Go at your own pace.
I started writing plays at age 7. I always loved writing. When I was little, I went to a traveling play and fell in love with the act of performing and scripts. I wanted to write for them. So, I chose to write. I no longer perform.
I don't really know. I never had problems trying to write from the male POV. I started writing plays at a young age, but I also wrote for a choice-based gaming app a couple of years ago, and had to do male POV all the time. I think having that visual and having visual muses helps me write males.
When it comes to reading, judging a book by the cover is definitely something I am guilty of. I think you need to be grabbed visually. People eat with their eyes before their mouths. The same goes for reading and writing.
I do read them, usually. When I have time. I never respond or call anyone out. I believe readers are entitled to their opinions on a book. I don't deal with either bad or good. I leave them alone and just continue writing what I love. I allow the readers to have their own minds and thoughts. On Goodreads, I do "like" the reviews so they at least know I saw it.