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.