I had a high stress journalism career for a decade. It was my dream to work in the industry at a high level and I felt immense inward and outward pressure to succeed. I said "yes" to every assignment. I worked loads of overtime. I stayed up all night (well day, due to my schedule) researching and writing pitches. I didn't get much sleep, I didn't have weekends/nights/major holidays off, and not surprisingly- I didn't have much of a life outside of my work or thinking about work. I ended up leaving my job due to some fairly serious health problems last year and it was the best thing I've done for myself as an adult.

Leaving was hard. Really hard. Like, anxiety attack inducing hard. I was worried that even though I was leaving for medical reasons, I would be seen as a failure or pathetic by my coworkers, peers, and distant relations. I didn't even plan to get out of the business forever! I'd just planned to have surgery, recover, and re-enter the workforce where I left off because I didn't want to disappoint anyone.

Now- 9 months later- I don't really care what people (who aren't my life partner or didn't raise me from birth) think. I'm really freaking happy.

I'm in my early 30's, and I now have a less high-profile job (still in the same field but with flexible hours and less responsibility), and I'm also pursuing a different career that I'm passionate about in the meantime. I've had time to develop cool hobbies, spend time with my family, and generally like myself a lot more. I also like other people a lot more. I think I'd turned into quite the pessimist and grump toward the end.

I like my new job because even though I'm not an old-timer, I still have enough experience that younger people at work come to me for advice, and I have the ability to do higher-level work if needed (I like to help out), but without the immense pressure. I also get paid more in this position due to my previous experience. People still look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them I'm happy where I am-- but they also don't know I'm pursuing other passions when I'm not on the clock.

All in all, you have to live your life. Figure out what's really important to you and be flexible on your path to happiness. I got really bogged down in the nooks and crannies of trying to climb the ladder of conventional "career success", and didn't bother to ever ask if that's what I really wanted for my life.

Good luck!