From overworked corporate guy to running my own business
Spent 15 years climbing the corporate ladder, sacrificing everything, and I was miserable. Quit last year and started my own thing. Money is tighter right now but I have control of my time and I actually like who I'm becoming. I'm the guy who coaches my son's soccer team now instead of missing games. I still work hard but it feels different when it's yours. What I miss is the stability and the paycheck, but I don't miss the person I was pretending to be.
Running your own thing is a different kind of stress but at least it's on your terms. Your kids probably see a way happier version of you too, which matters more than any promotion ever will.