Need some advice. Long post but bear with me.

I don’t want to go into specifics, but I’ve been working in the same industry for the past three years and while I’ve been successful and have the potential to rise higher, the job doesn’t fulfil me much.

It requires long hours including regular evening and weekend work as well as working on many public holidays without being paid overtime.

Anyway, I recently left a job to prioritise my mental well-being and take a break with the plan to start from scratch in another industry where I’d have a better work/life balance, less pressure and more enjoyment.

Basically something where I’d feel more purpose, ideally helping people in some way. Don’t have a dream job at this stage but I was hoping to figure that out.

Was thinking of going back to study while working some part-time jobs to make ends meet in the meantime.

However, I’ve now been offered a pretty prestigious job in the industry I was looking to exit. It’d be a decent pay rise with good benefits and vacation, but the job itself would be very demanding and exhausting.

There would be some positives, but my heart isn’t in it. I’d have to start in about three weeks and it fills me with dread more than nervous excitement.

If I took the job it would be because of the money and not wanting to be directionless for too much longer. It’s not really the kind of position where you can just quit if you don’t like it so it’s a big decision.

What would you do? Try to find a more enjoyable job and discover a passion even if it means being broke and lost for a while, or suck it up and take the job to stack some bread even though it might make you miserable and massively restrict your social life?

I’m 23 btw with no dependents so I don’t have those factors to consider. I already kinda said yes to the new role I’ve been offered but haven’t signed a contract yet so I could still go back on that.

Pls help fam

Sometimes it’s better to make a little less and be happier and more free but it depends.

I would think about what that new job would enable and allow you to do. Whether that’s the extra money, long term career/future or better job opportunities for it to be on resume, that vacation time etc.

But if this job is gonna take away something, ie. free time, then you have to have to weigh pros and cons and if the gains are worth the losses. Or if those potential losses are too much then I think you know what you need to do

I’ll take slaving away in my 20’s for a better 30-60

for me personally id be okay sacrificing a few years to really make some bread but ultimately work/life balance trumps all for me, its more important for me to spend time with loved ones. if youre already miserable at even the thought of starting this job then I think your decision is already made.

youre 23, it's a very long road ahead

spend a few years working spend a few years chilling

in ur case if u already saved up and have the option to find a less stressful job id leave. if u dont have a lot of savings or options then ig u have to sweat it out for a while longer

Work/life balance
Wealth disparity is gonna become so massive in the following decades that slaving now won't even prepare you for what's ahead
Also you will burn out quicker and if you maintain a job that doesn't ruin you you have better chances of getting a better one anyway

Invest your early life into work to establish a greater foundation for your children and middle age years.

work life = better health
wealth dont buy health

Life is too short to spend years of it doing s*** you hate. If you have enough stashed to live off of while you’re looking for something else, I’d do that

It all depends, you seem like you was already not fw what you was doing so some extra cash will not change that. If your fine with going back to the same place you was at then yeah f*** it take the L and stack for a lil. But if you really don’t wanna be where you was just at look for the more meaningful job that you are looking for

Time over everything

What do you plan on doing with your free time?

Work life balance

Take the money now so you can enjoy life with less worries down the line

work life balance NO question

Work life balance and live within your means

Appreciate all the responses, you guys are real

I think I’m gonna take the job and then reassess in a year or so. Will just save as much money as I can, try my best at work and improve myself in other areas.

If the s*** still sucks after a year then I’ll bounce and do something else. I’ll still be young enough at 24 to transition into a new career and I’ll have some bread saved.

Never know, the job might be more enjoyable at this new organisation anyway.

Thanks again fam

Honestly, just chilling with friends - parties, going to bars on weekends etc. Normal early 20s s*** as well as getting healthier, picking up hobbies like golf, going to the beach, chilling with family.

Basically I just don’t want to feel like I always have to be in work mode and never really switch off. But I can control that to some degree by setting boundaries and stuff. I might miss out on some social events but i can make up for some of that with vacation time at the end of the year

And I’ve come to the conclusion that my purpose doesn’t necessarily have to be through work. I can spread kindness and help people in every interaction I have and can pride myself on being a good friend

Plus there’s nothing stopping me getting up earlier to work out or go for a swim etc before work so I’ll just have to be better at time management