A few months ago, I made what I thought was a bold, exciting move I left a secure, high-paying job to pursue something I’ve always felt passionate about. It felt like the right time. I had savings, a plan, and a real sense of purpose. For a while, it even felt empowering. But now, that excitement is fading, and I’m quietly starting to regret the decision.
The reality of “living the dream” has been a lot harder than I imagined. I miss the consistency and financial comfort of my old job. I miss having structure in my day and not constantly worrying about whether I can cover basic expenses. It turns out that passion doesn’t automatically equal happiness or peace of mind.
Last month, I got lucky with a small unexpected financial win that helped me cover bills, but I know it was just a one-time thing. The stress of not knowing how long I can keep this up is really starting to weigh on me. I feel anxious almost every day, and it’s affecting my mental health more than I expected.
What’s worse is that I feel ashamed for even thinking this way. I told myself and others that this was my dream, and now that it’s not everything I hoped for, I feel like I’ve failed. I haven’t shared any of this with friends or family because I don’t want to hear “I told you so.”
Has anyone else felt this kind of regret after making a big life change? Did you go back to a more stable path, or push through? I’m not sure what to do next, but I needed a space to admit it without judgment.
Comments
What you’re feeling is so normal—more common than people admit. That “post-leap regret” is brutal because it hits right when the initial adrenaline wears off and reality sets in. I left a stable career for creative work years ago and went through the exact same cycle: euphoria, then dread, then shame for doubting myself.
Here’s what helped me:
Separate “failure” from “adjustment.” Just because this phase is harder than expected doesn’t mean the decision was wrong. Every major pivot has a messy middle.
Hybridize your approach. Could you freelance or consult in your old field part-time to ease financial pressure while keeping a foot in your passion? Stability doesn’t have to mean abandoning the dream entirely.
Reframe the “I told you so” fear. Most people won’t say it—and if they do, that says more about them. You took a risk most never dare to take.
The biggest lesson? Passion projects thrive under sustainable conditions, not martyrdom. There’s zero shame in recalibrating. You haven’t failed; you’re just gathering data on what works…
I’m sorry the thing you were passionate about doesn’t feel worth it anymore. It’s a hard thing to accept when it happens.
I think sometimes it’s easier to be passionate about something/really enjoy it when it doesn’t have the extra weight and responsibility with it.
But would you rather you had never tried and possibly had something you regretted never trying?
I hope it’s not had too big of an impact on you financially, it sucks that it has impacted your mental health though.
Could you potentially pick up a part time job alongside it just to keep money coming in and lift some of the pressure/stress?