To consider giving up a high paying career?

[burpe]

Aibu to decide I don’t want to spend all of my life working?

I am relatively young and working in a very intense job in finance. It pays really well, so within the next year or so I should have just about enough saved for a flat deposit in London. Nothing fancy and I come from a poor family outside London.

My current role I work around 60-70 hours a week, often on weekends, bank holidays, on holidays. I’m expected to check emails every few hours wherever I am. The people are ok but it’s constantly watching your back for someone trying to get a one up.

I’ve been reflecting recently and have come to the conclusion that I just can’t be bothered for this for the next 20-30 years. I want to be able to enjoy Christmas with my family without being stressed or have time to do things without feeling exhausted or guilty.

Can you not move sideways? I was in a Big 4 audit role, partner track yada-yada and when I decided I wasn’t willing to make the necessary sacrifices I moved in house. Excellent wage still but a much much better balance. I would say you should avoid throwing the baby out with the bath water but should be able to capitalise on all your hard work to find something more to your liking!

why not stick at it for a couple more years and take your savings to retrain/move out of London/whatever?

I wouldn’t quit a career I had trained in and got a well paid job in when I had just about enough to afford a flat - what would you next to keep paying for the flat?

Sounds like you’re burnt out and need a break and to set some boundaries and stick to them - quitting is extreme though!

If I even try to set any sort of boundaries, I am told I am not a team player or not committed to the role!

How will you pay the mortgage if you quit? Well done on your achievements, but don’t walk away yet unless you have young children and have some savings and a new job lined up.

Do not neglect your pension.

Most people I know in those sort of roles do it until they've earnt "enough" (whatever they deem "enough" to be) and then move out of London, buy somewhere cheaper and adopt a more relaxed pace of life. They don't do it forever.

YANBU. Could you go Part Time, or just look for something where you can use your transferable skills? (is there some sort of career consultancy maybe who could help you work out how to move elsewhere in a better but still well paid job?)