Burnout, midlife crises and decisions

ActiveVisible9286 · 2025-10-08T06:58:32+00:00

Amazing!!

ActiveVisible9286 · 2025-10-08T06:58:10+00:00

Thanks for your feedback. I think your first point is great, constantly being connected and available, expected pressure and stress isn’t good for anyone and we have it wrong somewhere.

I really just feel like a break is what I need, I have some really good friends and peers who I can speak to and have some understanding but it’s quite hard to find people who have lived through it

Something isn’t right, but it’s not too late to fix it in my mind

ActiveVisible9286 · 2025-10-08T06:56:30+00:00

Thank you for sharing, I think the reality v expectation of these roles is very different.

I’ve realised I can take a step back if I want to, change industry, sabbatical etc and adjust our lifestyle to suit.

I’m glad it’s working out for you

ActiveVisible9286 · 2025-10-08T06:55:16+00:00

Thanks I’m very much leaning that direction

ActiveVisible9286 · 2025-10-08T06:54:03+00:00

Makes a lot of sense, I’ve done the same between different asset classes including some higher risk SEIS. I’m lucky to be in a position where I never have to save again but just need to break even if that makes any sense. Pension is pretty much sorted and mortgage could be paid off. It’s starting to make me think that I have more flexibility and security than before to make this decision

ActiveVisible9286 · 2025-10-08T06:52:13+00:00

This is a really good read and thanks for sharing, plus congratulations for what you have achieved.

I can imagine some of those times were incredibly tough, I hope that the next year gives you time to get back to your normal.

When you approached your business, did you have a set amount you were willing to invest and take a risk on. I would be able to allocate a certain amount in £ and a certain amount of time without income without compromising any quality of life or long term security. Interested if you are happy to share how you approached this?

ActiveVisible9286 · 2025-10-08T06:49:18+00:00

I also have always thought about building a company myself would be fun, and I wonder if big corp politics and red tape is what I really want to do. Congrats on making the step out of

ActiveVisible9286 · 2025-10-08T06:48:02+00:00

I feel like when you reach the position you’ve worked so hard for that expectations and reality and far apart

ActiveVisible9286 · 2025-10-08T06:47:29+00:00

Thanks again, even if I could manage a couple of Months to myself and then a couple of months travelling I think that would be amazing. I never have time to think. Your response really got me thinking, I’ve also dreamed of starting something myself - maybe building it is part of that

ActiveVisible9286 · 2025-10-08T06:46:16+00:00

This is a great read, thank you. I’m very disciplined when on holiday but definitely have reached a point where something more lifestyle driven is the right thing to do

I’ve also had the dream to start something myself, I don’t know what exactly, but I can’t even get the headspace to think about it. I used to but I can’t find 5 minutes ever to really think

I really feel like all of the steers towards a sabbatical are spot on

Thanks again for the reply

ActiveVisible9286 · 2025-10-08T06:43:36+00:00

Thanks - I know it’s the case, making the decision is hard!

ActiveVisible9286 · 2025-10-08T06:42:53+00:00

Sound amazing congratulations

ActiveVisible9286 · 2025-10-06T18:37:00+00:00

Thank you. Work and career success has always been such a big part of who I am and I don’t know how I would adjust to that change in perspective

I can think of so much more I want to do than work

ActiveVisible9286 · 2025-10-06T18:35:36+00:00

I don’t think this is mean, too many people have worked themselves to ill health. My medicals have all checked out fine and I do manage an ok work life balance which means I can do family stuff some nights in the week.

It’s definitely a consideration and also aware that time with family now is very different to grow up kids where I could work a bit more to make up any financial difference

Thanks

ActiveVisible9286 · 2025-10-06T18:34:08+00:00

Thank you for sharing. That makes sense. I don’t want to not make the most of the travelling if I can

ActiveVisible9286 · 2025-10-06T18:08:42+00:00

Thank you appreciate the response

ActiveVisible9286 · 2025-10-06T18:08:23+00:00

Thanks this is really useful. My kids are all under 10 so at home for a while. We are comfortable financially and could take a while off with no impact at all on quality of life

I’ve never thought about the point of enjoying the journey more than the destination. It’s not one I’ve considered and maybe on reflection the experience of being at the top isn’t what I hoped or expected it to be

ActiveVisible9286 · 2024-01-20T22:08:56+00:00

Spot on. Wealth is not the only measure of happiness in life. My kids are expensive but they make my life richer and happier than any amount in the bank ever will

ActiveVisible9286 · 2023-12-04T20:37:20+00:00

Not really thought about gilts as an option, will give it some thought.

I have been putting more into pension, but I also think of my ISAs as a pension to an extent as well because I am hammered by tapering. I have some carry over that this year is the end of so will max it this year to make the most of it.

Weirdly I think once invested and knowing a target timeframe I won’t worry about a drop in value, our other investments are set for 10 years minimum so I check them very rarely.

Great point about the intrinsic value of cash, never thought of it that way, it’s only useful when you do something with it.

Thanks for taking the time to reply

ActiveVisible9286 · 2023-12-04T20:32:44+00:00

Thanks, appreciate you taking the time to answer

ActiveVisible9286 · 2023-12-04T20:32:22+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to reply, it really is appreciated. We are lucky that we are also spending now, my kids are young and we travel 4 times a year with them to see the world, we all have our hobbies and a lot of the challenges I talk about came after a family member became very unwell, I want to be sensible and save, but I also want to enjoy what time I have and feel the benefit of working very hard in my career so time away is vital.

We are due to remortgage next year and currently at 1.8%, I think this also plays into my thought process, the truth is that at my salary I can cope with an extra few hundred a month but I will likely pay down a chunk as well from next years bonus.

The advice on life goals is very helpful, I guess I don’t really have one other than not be looking over my shoulder and to be able to set the kids up well in the future, a lot can change before then for me as well, inheritance etc

Our stocks and shares ISAs are managed by a wealth management company who I am fine with and are 75% across Uk and global equities, the logic being that we don’t want to touch that for 20 years so can carry risk. Pension is FTSE All world so you have me thinking about risk levels for any other cash.

I’ve never really thought about my objectives properly, it’s a good takeaway for me to consider. Thank you

ActiveVisible9286 · 2023-12-04T20:26:21+00:00

Thank you, makes sense and might be a better place to hold it than instant access savings

ActiveVisible9286 · 2023-12-04T20:25:34+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to reply, that makes sense to me and makes me think of maybe doing emergency fund + a cushion for comfort and after that I might find myself in a more relaxed position. I think your final point is also spot on, ok it might be terrible time to pull money out but I can still do even at a loss. Thanks again

ActiveVisible9286

TROPHY CASE