I switched from consulting (60 hour weeks, constant travel) to a boring but stable desk job that pays less. My old self would be horrified but my new self goes home by 5 and actually has dinner with my family. This seems like something people don't talk about enough. The whole trajectory just shifted. Who else made a big change like this? Do you regret it or was it the right move?
I'm considering this exact move. What's the boring desk job situation like long term? Like can you see yourself staying for a decade or is it more of a phase until kids are older?
Your wife probably appreciated you being around more. The consulting life basically means you're never really off the clock. Good on you for making that change for the family.
Made the same move about 3 years ago. Missing the money from consulting but man, being able to pick my kids up from school and actually see them grow up is worth more than I expected. The trade off is real though, especially when bills come.
to join the conversation.
Did the salary hit take a few years to adjust to or did you bounce back? Trying to figure out if switching to something less demanding is even financially possible for us.
The mental health difference alone has to be worth something though right? Sixty hours a week would destroy me.