I feel like this is kind of a "everyone is different" or "duh, just do the math and figure it out" type question, but folks here have been super helpful previously so here goes...<p>Has anyone, maybe those who have become burnt out, changed your industry (say from dev to forest ranger or something) later on in life (40+)? Did you search out a career that had similar pay or did you have to plan ahead to the lifestyle change regarding salary?<p>Maybe it's part of a mid-life crisis ;), but I'm not really enjoying life in the world of tech right now so I've been looking at industries/careers that I think I might enjoy. There are not many fields that pay someone without a college degree like tech does, so as you can imagine I haven't found many options that would allow me to continue supporting my family in the way that I currently do.<p>I guess it really comes down to: Stick it out, bank as much as I can and try to retire early and enjoy life OR take what is likely a huge hit, adjust our lifestyle and hopefully start enjoying work again.
I've significantly downsized, from a high-paying to low-paying tech position. Not the same as switching fields, but definitely has benefits, and is perhaps less disruptive.<p>I'm definitely try to enjoy life now. There might not be a tomorrow. Or, you might find that once you've "made it", you're no longer able to enjoy it.