Career change hit different than I expected
Left my corporate job 3 years ago to start my own business and I don't recognize myself anymore. Used to be all about impressing people at the office, climbing the ladder, having the fancy title. Now I'm in my garage workshop at 7am before the kids wake up and it feels like I'm actually alive for the first time. Money is tighter but my mental health is better. I miss the steady paycheck and the validation but I gained my sanity back.
Career change at that level messes with your whole identity. I get it. The guy who was climbing the corporate ladder isn't the same guy running his own thing. Different pressures, different rewards.