Should I quit my demanding job for a simpler, lower-paying one?
High-stress careers can cause severe burnout, depression, and deteriorating mental health, forcing people to consider stepping away despite the pay cut. This leaves them torn between protecting their well-being with a simpler job and figuring out what to do next.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Taking a simpler job with lower pay to reduce mental strain
- 2Focusing on starting an outside website or business
- 3Exploring other trades
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I just cannot any longer. I need to leave in January as is a friend of mine who also retired once already in another state as have I. I just don't know what comes next.”source ↗
“I’m not sure if I wanna have a career in automotive.”source ↗
“I worked at Toyota before and I was just depressed doing that job.”source ↗
“I want a more simpler job doing oil changes for a little less money (FOR NOW) so my mental state isn’t deteriorating over time.”source ↗
“I’ve been in my head about this for weeks now any feedback would be great thank you and god bless.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 10Is teaching still a realistic option for me?
- 3Why is corporate industry accounting so boring after public practice?
- 9Is giving up a secure pension job worth it?
- 4Is it a dumb idea to quit your job in this economy?
- 2Should I still do internships after getting a full-time job offer?
- 2Should I leave my job if I was passed over for a promotion?