If you’re a young person who gets into a competitive field like finance or law, finally landing that high-paying job can make you feel like you’ve really made it. But many millennials discover that the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and find themselves desperately unhappy. Wanting to quit a six figure job can be frightening, especially in the hyper-capitalist, money-over-everything U.S., but sometimes it’s the only way to make your life anything other than miserable. If you’re doing well but can’t stand another 14-hour workday or wine-soaked post-conference dinner with people you hate, take inspiration from these five reasons to start anew.
1. Spend More Time With Loved Ones
Most jobs that pay well also demand almost all of your time. This can take a heavy toll on family life, romantic relationships, and friendships. A less demanding (if less lucrative) career will give you time to spend with your pals and partner. If you have children, you’ll have the priceless chance to actually watch them grow – check this great article for a real-life example.
2. Have A Lower Cost Of Living
High-powered positions often demand that you live in a place where the cost of living is astronomical. In addition, a packed schedule means that you end up eating out frequently and outsource household tasks to paid professionals.
If you quit a six figure job, you’ll be free to move someplace far less expensive, which will go a long way in making up for the inevitable salary drop. You’ll also have time to do many of the tasks you used to pay others for.
3. Be Happier
If you’re on the verge of quitting a job that is financially rewarding, you are likely miserable a good deal of the time. Money is important, of course, but it can’t make up for near-constant unhappiness. Finding other career paths, and a different work/life balance, will surely make you a much happier person, even if you have to give up your favorite table at Per Se.
4. Discover And Follow Your Passions
This is closely related to number 3. Demanding, high-paying careers don’t leave much (or sometimes any) time to discover what you’re really passionate about. Find yourself always daydreaming about your unfinished novel? Have an easel with an empty canvas gathering dust in a corner? Find yourself looking forward to your post-work yoga class far more than any other part of your day? If you leave your demanding job behind, you’ll have more time to discover if activities that make you happy can also perhaps make you some money.
5. Make Your Time Your Own
Instead of being scheduled to within an inch of your life except for fleeting and too-quick weekends, you can actually have time to do all sorts of new things. You’ll be able to travel, for example, without having to worry about being back at the office on Monday at 9 AM. You can re-prioritize your life to include time to relax, travel, and do all sorts of other things you actually enjoy.
