A long time since I was a Research Associate at a UK university (salaried short term contract) and trying to finish a PhD and I remember someone from outside of

A long time since I was a Research Associate at a UK university (salaried short term contract) and trying to finish a PhD and I remember someone from outside of academia describing me as "hyper cynical" - that was after 5 years or so. I left, co-founded a startup and never regretted leaving academia. Edit: That comment didn't make me leave but it does rather reflect my state of mind at the time - which was pretty bitter....