Hi All, new here. I noticed this thread dates back to 2014, but I thought it was interesting enough that I would share my story.
I have worked in the Information Tech field for over 24 years in varying capacities. If anyone is familiar with it, you know most positions pay pretty well but there is stress that goes along with the position. I am 52 now and back in October 2019 I had been growing increasingly stressed by the constant changes Management and ownership of the company was having on my personal life. Bi Weekly meetings on performance. Constant micro management to such an extent that I was told I left 1 minute early and was not a team player? Even though I had freely started my shift 30 minutes early daily of which didn't seem to show dedication. Add to that that my boss was 20 years my junior without essential management / people skills. I worked with a group of people who didn't pull their weight and I felt more of the higher level work was thrust upon me, then to cap it off, they changed the way I could organize my schedule so that I was not in control of my day to day workload. I had mentally told myself that I wanted to quit. I had saved and invested over a 25 year plan. Made the right decisions, paid off my home, no car loans, no debt except insurance and utilities. It occurred to me I could easily resign and take some mental time to do nothing which I haven't experienced since I was a teenager. I longed to read, listen to music, experience more quality time without the dark cloud of deadlines, a work problem unsolved which lingered in my mind all the time. I even went to the point of writing my resignation letter but by the next day, I would have a cup of coffee, then put the fantasy away. One day in a meeting, my performance was again being questioned and I just mentally decided right there and then, it's time. I stood up to my boss and said, "I am sorry, but I am resigning now". I walked out of the office, then back to my desk, packed up my laptop and most of the things I had and quickly said goodbye to my co-workers nearby and walked out. My boss ran out and talked to me asking if this is truly what I wanted to do, and I said it wasn't personal, but I was deeply unhappy.
If you are not happy with the day to day, and not feeling proud on your drive home and mentally ok without thinking about work after your day is over, you will be weighed down. Having saved and invested for years with cash reserves that I could live on, I always kept that in the back of my mind that I can use it. If you can make the change for well being, do it. It may open other avenues for you. I am still on a long sabbatical for 7 months now and I still do not want part of a day job at present. I honestly do not know if I want to go back anytime soon. That's my story. Best