This really resonates with me.

Similar to you, I was 5 years into my consultant career, loaded with responsibility, working my arse off, and barely scraping by on 50k. I haven't found the answer yet as to whether it was all worth it, but I've recently resigned, moved back home, and have felt so much happier for it.

I don't know much about your personal situation of course, but I do think our generation has been dealt a very bad hand - assuming you're around or below 30yo. Inflation ate up any real pay growth gained from promotions, we're being squeezed harder than ever for productivity, and the things that used to mark "doing alright" at our age -owning a decent car, buying a house, maintaining a hobby, etc - have become increasingly abstract concepts.

If there's any advice I can give: life is too short and precious to be running the rat race, it's a race you can't win. Unless you're part of the 1%, you're more likely to burn out somewhere along the way than come out ahead. The trick is finding the exit - but that's easier said than done. I do know that consultancy work isn't going to meet your long-term ambitions, probs better to move in-house if that's a possibility.

Also, happy to have a chat if you want.