Could use some advice on quitting and when you know the right time to walk away. I've had quite a few jobs the last few years, though all are in the same field (finance) and all are very high-paying ($200K+). All my jobs since grad school have been very high-stress, high-hour jobs, where you are on call pretty much 24/7. I've held many different jobs due to the fact that once I find a place too stressful or the people too toxic, I like to find a new job, take a few months off to unwind, and then start up again in a new high-paying/high-pressure job. I believe that doing this has extended my career by 2-3 years and has increased my net worth significantly (due to signing bonuses and negotiated pay). Truth of the matter is I am not meant for this type of work. In college I thought money would make me happy and I wanted a certain level of "prestige" to my career, but honestly, I'd trade it all back to start over and actually figure out what I enjoy.
My current financial situation is "ok". I dug myself out of $250,000 of student loans grinding away the last few years and could pay off the rest of my loans tomorrow if I wanted. I'd have about $60,000 left over in savings and $100,000 in retirement between my wife and I (she works but doesn't earn that much). I prefer to keep some loans and about 2 years of living expenses just in case I rage-quit, which I know is not good financially, but for my peace of mind it really is needed.
My issue is that the last few months have been brutal. I have had no free weekends and have worked till 2-3 am every night almost. With a few matters wrapping up, I've been given other matters that are just as stressful and those are starting to ramp up as well. I thought i'd have this weekend to relax and maybe get a fresh start, but I ended up having to work. I didn't work all weekend, but enough to affect my plans. I haven't exercised in months, I'm constantly sleep deprived, I see my friends becoming established in careers and having more and more free time to enjoy nights and weekends, and I have had to continually cancel plans because of work. Just not sure if I can keep doing this. You definitely get used to the work-sleep / work-sleep atmosphere but it doesn't seem like a way to live. I'm so ashamed the way I treat my body and my mind. I'd like to think I can succeed doing anything and that it isn't fair to me to continue doing this type of work.
Anyone ever quit a high-paying job while not in a set financial situation because if was just too stressful and time consuming? Most of this post was just to bitch, but I'm legitimately thinking of giving notice in the next few months and then exploring other options. Thanks in advance!
Submitted September 30, 2018 at 09:41AM by Birdman4Lyfe https://ift.tt/2Qn4PSL
