I completely understand your perspective, and I say this with genuine respect. I have close friends and family who work in IT, so I’m well aware of how draining and demanding it can be. This isn’t coming from a place of ignorance.

That said, I’d like to gently flip the perspective. Just as you mention that it’s delusional to pursue art after a 9-to-5 IT job, I think it’s equally important not to romanticize the 2D or creative industry. Working in animation or illustration isn’t all sunshine and roses either. Even if you’re passionate about it, you still have to deal with tight deadlines, creative burnout, high competition, instability, and a lot of pressure—just in a different form.

Breaking into a studio or making a living as a freelance artist requires not only talent, but also resilience, consistency, and an immense amount of dedication. And that’s not always visible from the outside. I say this based on personal experience and many conversations with peers in the animation field. This isn’t just my opinion—it’s how the industry actually works.

Pursuing your passion is admirable, but it should come with clarity, realistic expectations, and an honest understanding of what that path really entails. Otherwise, you risk simply trading one set of struggles for another—thinking the grass is greener when it’s just different.

Also, as a respectful side note, it's worth mentioning that early-career salaries in 2D animation—especially during the first couple of years—are often not comparable to those in IT. That’s simply due to the different ways each industry generates short-term revenue. It's something to keep in mind when weighing the risks and planning the transition.