I quit my job at a startup after a little over a year because I was burned out. I took off a little over a year before getting another job. In the time off, I w

I quit my job at a startup after a little over a year because I was burned out. I took off a little over a year before getting another job. In the time off, I worked on some of my own projects, I played music, I hung out with friends, went on walks, spent time with family. > The thing is this job pays incredibly well So? What does that actually do for you if you're unhappy? You're getting paid in money, and money translates into wealth, i.e. things that you want. But only if you spend it. What are you even bothering earning all that money for, if you're going to spend your life being miserable? You have no house, no kids, no responsibilities, a simple lifestyle — do you want to spend this time in your life in a job that is burning you out and making you miserable? edit: As for not feeling like shit about quitting — I don't know what will work for you (I didn't have this problem when I quit; I didn't feel a moment's regret), but you might for example set yourself some amount of time (2 months? whatever) during which you are explicitly permitted to be self-indulgent and relax, and after which you tell yourself you will sit down and plan for what comes next, whether that's looking for work or donating to charity or starting some project or helping others or whatever.