Quit my high paying job and I'm happier poor
I used to make 140k in finance. Commuted 2 hours each way, missed my kids growing up, was always stressed. One day my son asked if I was coming to his soccer game and I realized I didn't even know he played soccer. That wrecked me. Quit 6 months later. Now I'm doing contract work from home, making maybe 60k, and I'm actually here. I miss the status a little bit, not gonna lie. Miss being the guy with the nice watch and the stories about work. But I don't miss the man I was. My kids have their dad back. That's worth more.
Man, that hit me hard. My twins are only a few months old and I'm already paranoid I'm gonna miss stuff. Sounds like you made the right call for your family.