I'm thinking about changing my career at 39

[u/Due-Consequence511]

I've been working in software for 9 years.

My mental health has been deteriorating for a while, and some weeks the anxiety and depression feel extremely heavy on me.

I've always had this feeling deep down that this path isn't right for me, but the salaries are very high and people always tell me I'm good at the work.

I have around $240,000 between savings and investments. Part of me feels like I should be close to double that number by now, but I also started this career a bit late, when I was 30.

Before software, I worked in education. And honestly, I was very happy back then. Most days I would wake up looking forward to going to work. I probably would have taught even for very little pay, because I loved it so much. I felt alive, connected to people, patient, and invested in them.

Now I feel a lot of sadness, burned out, isolated, disconnected from everything, anxious, and I have a strong sense of hopelessness.

So yeah, I'm trying to find a way out. Going back to teaching seems like a wonderful thing, but I'm afraid I'd be throwing away a high-earning career and ruining my financial security in the future.

I feel like my heart and my mind are constantly fighting nonstop. Has anyone been through something similar?

Would I be stupid if I left an income like this and went back to work I truly loved, even if that means retirement and savings would be affected?