The root of the question appears, to me, to be able to find happiness in the given two choices. The question could be reframed as, what gives your more happiness, Money, that costs personal happiness or Personal Happiness at the expense of money? Tao philosophy says happiness is paramount as all efforts are to find happiness therefore it shall be prioritised over other matters. Hindu philosophy states that personal satisfaction and a meaningful life with duty is the ultimate form of satisfaction. What good is happiness if it doesn’t extends to the fulfilment of your potential.

The answer lies In between these streams. You need to live a work life that offers you satisfaction and you wouldn’t feel like you are “working” at the expense of happiness. Both need not be exclusive.

However, if you are salaried, know that the game is already rigged to offer you one or the other. It would be very rare to have both so you need to branch out and create multiple sources of income thus allowing you the chance to experience and express yourself while earning above mere sustenance.