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Left finance job after kid was born - best decision ever

Jun 201 min read

I was making good money working 60+ hour weeks, barely seeing my son. One day he asked why I wasnt at his school thing and something just broke in me. Took the leap, went freelance, took a pay cut. That was 18 months ago. Yeah we tightened our belts and I miss the stability sometimes, but Im actually HERE. I missed my oldest's entire first year basically because I was always at the office. With this one I'm present. I'm tired, I'm stressed about money, but I'm not hollow anymore.

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11 comments208 views

Comments(11)

JJosh M.RegularJun 22

Left a similar track a few years ago and never looked back. The guilt from missing stuff was eating me alive even though I didn't fully realize it. Your son will remember having his dad around way more than he'd remember the extra stuff money could have bought.

CChris M.RegularJun 22

That's such a powerful moment when your kid says something like that. Congrats on making the switch, that takes real courage especially leaving the money side of things. What are you doing now that lets you have more time with him?

DDan R.New DadJun 22

This hits different. The money probably felt important at the time but those hours with your kid are gone forever. Glad you figured it out when you did. How much of a financial adjustment was the transition?

MMatt B.RegularJun 22

This post deserves way more attention. This decision takes guts and I respect it completely. You're teaching your son the right priorities just by showing him.

NNathanRegularJun 22

This is the kind of story I needed to read today honestly. Working finance is draining and I get it but those moments with your kid are gone forever once they're gone. Good on you for making the swap.

MMatt B.RegularJun 22

This hits different as a dad. The fact that you heard him and actually changed course says everything. I'm still in the grind but stories like yours make me think about whether I'm gonna have regrets down the line.

KKyle M.RegularJun 20

60+ hour weeks are brutal. I tried that route for a bit and realized I was missing everything that actually mattered. Glad you got out and found something better. What kind of work are you doing now?

KKyleRegularJun 21

Man that's the dream right there. Leaving the finance rat race to actually be present with your kid. I bet the money part was scary but I'm guessing you don't miss the 60 hour weeks when you're actually getting time with your son.

NNathanRegularJun 21

That moment when he asked why you weren't around is exactly the wake up call a lot of us need. Props for actually making the change instead of just thinking about it. What do you do now that lets you be more present?

BBradRegularJun 21

Your son is lucky. That moment when he asked why you weren't around probably stings now but I bet he understands what you did. That's real fatherhood right there.

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RRick M.RegularJun 21

Man this hits home. I'm still in the grind but I think about this constantly. Hearing your son ask why you're not around is the hardest thing. Did the pay cut hurt or did you adjust quicker than you thought?