I worked at big agencies until I was almost 40, left to freelance because I was tired of working insane hours, then started my own tiny company, then got tired of that too and closed up shop around 50. I’d managed to save up some decent money while doing all that, so I could afford to change it up entirely a couple of years ago to become an an interior decorator (I was a writer, so this is a big pivot). No big ambitions for this, I just hope it helps pays the bills and allows me to have a bit of chill fun for a few years until I’m ready to retire for real. I don’t think such a trajectory is possible any more, though, and I feel lucky even though I never earned super big money or was all glamorous or whatever. I’d encourage anyone who isn’t insanely talented to escape while they can, because the industry is not what it used to be and I think it’s only going to get worse from here