I can definitely relate! When I was a young trial attorney working for a small firm, my friend and I decided to start our own firm. His gf was a realtor and se

I can definitely relate! When I was a young trial attorney working for a small firm, my friend and I decided to start our own firm. His gf was a realtor and sent a fair number of closings our way. It was barely enough to live on, but we were having a blast trying to build a business. Then things suddenly changed. Two corporate clients whom I had tried cases for while with my former employer contacted me and started retaining me to try cases for them. More corporate clients followed and soon many more cases than I could handle (my partner handled only the real estate). Within 5 years we had 10 associates and 25 employees total. And I was miserable. Yes, the money was terrific. But... - 5 primary clients accounted for 90% of our non-real estate work - Several clients refused to allow anyone but me to try their cases, forcing me to change how the firm operated. - I was working insane hours. Much more than I would ever be working if I was an employee. But I had no choice. It was either that or my clients would walk. The success of the firm now felt like a huge anchor around my neck. It was no longer fun. At the 20 year mark, I walked away and took a position with one of my clients to work in-house for them. For more money and less hours. But that changed too when I was promoted to oversee one of their 10 regional legal departments. No more trials. Now I was a middle manager in a Fortune500 company, and I was miserable again. Three years later and I moved to another large company where I could get back to trying cases and stay away from management. Stayed there until I retired. I loved the freedom and independence to run my own firm. I especially loved being able to practice law according to my principles and ethics. That, of course, changed when I walked away from my private firm and became a corporate employee. I traded away the horrible anchor my private firm had become - in exchange for fighting for my self respect and ethics in a highly pressured corporate atmosphere. Sometimes winning is losing. The best time I had in my work life was during those first two years when we were struggling but having fun. So, I hope you take the time to appreciate having fun while you can. And my best of luck to you. PS: Retired now. Spend all my time programming (a life long hobby ever since buying my Tandy Model I in 1978), learning linux, and networking. I'm having a blast again!