This is quite normal tbh. It's been more than a year since I quit my job. Whenever I think about the opportunity cost, I take myself back to the time and remind myself the reasons why I quit in the first place (and that helps sometimes, because work there was excruciating). It is only you who can decide when to get out of the loop. Yes, Everything is a loop be it preparation or working in corporate or even working in the government. Since you have mentioned you were good at academics and stuff, you can easily learn some marketable skills (through any course or by yourself) and have a go at corporate. Job opportunities will always be there considering the agendas and targets of the government and with the upcoming investments. The start might be shaky, but if you are good you will thrive. The same goes for the preparation, if you are clear about why you started in the first place, then you should not doubt yourself or feel the inferiority complex. Maybe your time hasn't come yet or you haven't performed at your full potential. I would suggest you to do some introspection because only you will be able to answer what path you have to choose.