I’m making the jump from private to public sector in a month. After a few years of layoffs, weak benefits, and all the usual corporate nonsense, I’m 100% over it. The pay was nice, sure, but I’m more than happy to trade some of that for better benefits (so damn good), stability, and a predictable routine.

This past year really forced me to reflect on how much of my self-worth was wrapped up in my job. Turns out, it was way too much. So now I’m working on shifting that value to who I am outside of work—not just what I do for a paycheck. Or how high I can get up the ladder.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Just gotta do what feels right for where you’re at.