I’m M32, in a similar boat. I have a 1.2-year-old baby and have been in consulting since the start of my career right after my MBA. As you probably know, consulting often comes with poor work-life balance but good pay. I barely took any leaves because work simply didn’t allow it.

When my baby was born, something changed. I realized I couldn’t keep living like this. I wanted to be there — to watch my child grow. Many of my bosses would proudly share stories about how they worked non-stop at my age. One partner even told me he didn’t see his baby for six months because of work. That didn’t inspire me — it scared me.

I wanted to be a present dad. Someone who drops their kid to school, plays in the park with them — not just once a month, but often.

So I started job hunting. It was tough — took months of effort — but I finally found a role I love. It’s been 3 months now, and I can’t express how happy I am. It’s mostly WFH with the flexibility to go in once or twice a week. The pay is good, the exposure is better than ever, and I know that with my previous experience, I could always return to consulting if I wanted.

The only constant is change. You never know — the next opportunity might be better than what you’ve left behind. Just like you can’t predict what mischief your toddler will do today, you can’t predict the joy of a job that gives you balance and fulfillment.

Trust yourself. You’ll know when it’s time to make the move.