Have you left a well paying job/career for something less stressful?

[AquamarineSteph]

I left a very high pressure, high stress job in the medical field for something far less stressful which paid FAR less with FAR fewer benefits. (I wasn't a nurse, but I worked with a lot of them. They had way more stress than I did.)

At the end of the day, I had to ask myself what was more important - my job and it's fine $ and beneifts - and yes, I was very good at what I did - or my own health/sanity? And in the end, I decided that it was in my best interests to take a job with less stress. It meant some lifestyle changes, but even with less income I'm way happier.

 

[Kitty 34]

I subbed for 34 years.......very high stressed job but unfortunately the pay wasn't the greatest. Loved it but left it to retire and really don't miss any of it now.

 

[Micca]

I had a moderately stressful job for many years when DW got a really good job in another city. I threw in the towel and went with her and found two great/low-stress jobs that I loved (one part-time/one full-time.) We moved again for DW's job and I've been retired ever since.

 

[powellrj]

I didn't, but my DH did. He walked away from 5 weeks vacation, pretty good insurance to go to horrible insurance, 1 week vacation, about 30% less pay a week. He also gave up 16 hour days for 9 hour days and bosses that don't use age discrimination for a work place where everyone is about the same age as he is. He is so much happier and much less stressed. It has been a year and it was worth it.