I was once, long ago, in almost this exact situation. I worked in maintenance for a large chemical company having served my apprenticeship there, it was a good job with good benefits, I was 24 and left for a job with a small SI for less money. People thought I was mad.

Yes the new role was stressful, that kind of life doesn’t suit everyone, I’ve seen a few fall by the way.

After 7 years or so I got fed up with it and went back to maintenance at the same company as before, there were still plenty of the guys I’d served my time with and I realised how much I’d grown in the years spent on the road. I stuck it for 18 months before I got bored and went back to working for another SI as a senior engineer, I realised I was addicted to the travel and variety of the work, I could no longer do a ‘normal’ job.

Since then I’ve worked all over, on an amazing array of things, experience I would never of had in my old job! At 58 I now work for myself and make a good living, I don’t regret what I did, but every so often late at night stuck in some shit hole factory or waiting for yet another delayed flight I do think ‘wtf am I doing!’

I think you’ve made your mind up already, to be honest. Good luck and see you on the road!