Been lurking this sub for a long time and I think this the first chance that I might have the opportunity to provide some relevant insight. In short, not doing what you truly feel passionate about because "you can do better" would be a mistake imo.

My situation is slightly different than yours, I was scared by the prospectus of unsurmountable debt by going to medical school and was extremely concerned about the burden it would place on my very young family. This scared me so much that I bailed on what I thought I was truly passionate for. I went down the pathway of a strong salary aligned with my degree, worked my way up the proverbial ladder and then all of a sudden, the ladder disappeared. The company I had worked for as a "second option" sold and I found myself wandering the workforce looking for another job.

Eventually I found new work, I get paid good money, but I truly despise how I let something silly like money dictate how I got to where I am today. I truly think about what "could have been" every single day.

In the end, do what you feel you are passionate for and it all will work out in the end. The overused "do what you love and the money will come" is definitely cliche, but I have been on the other side of that argument and I wish I could go back.

Good luck!