Is this the perfect sign that it's time to quit banking?
For the past week, I'm been seeing this one guy playing some musical instrument in the Bryant Park subway station. He has some bucket for donations/money collection besides him as he plays. Each morning when I walk past him I feel so envious. I think about how I'd like to switch jobs with him. I play his instrument and he can go work on my sellside. I'm just so fed up with the stress and anxiety of this job. The 90+ hour weeks and limited sleep.
So, is this the sign I needed that it's time?
Feeling envious of someone playing music in a subway station while you're grinding through 90+ hour weeks is a strong emotional signal that something isn't aligning in your life. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some key points to consider before making a decision:
Evaluate Your Mental and Physical Health: Many WSO threads emphasize that banking takes a toll on health—both mental and physical. If you're experiencing significant stress, anxiety, or sleep deprivation, it's crucial to prioritize your well-being. Some level of health deterioration is common in banking, but if you're "close to the edge," as one user put it, it's time to take drastic steps to care for yourself.
Assess Your Long-Term Goals: Ask yourself if the sacrifices you're making now align with your future aspirations. If you're staying in banking solely for money or prestige, but your values and priorities have shifted, it might be time to explore other paths. As one WSO user noted, "Your job is not your self-worth."
Build a Support System: Lean on friends, family, or colleagues who understand what you're going through. Many analysts have shared that having a strong support network helped them survive the toughest periods. Even small actions, like daily check-ins with loved ones, can make a big difference.
Explore Alternatives Before Quitting: Before making a drastic decision, start exploring other opportunities. Whether it's corporate development, consulting, or even a creative pursuit, there are plenty of options for someone with your background. As one WSO contributor suggested, "Un-trap yourself" by applying to jobs or programs that excite you.
Take a Breather: If possible, request some time off to recharge and gain clarity. A real vacation or even a short break from the grind can help you think more clearly about your next steps.
Don't Act on Impulse: While your feelings are valid, quitting on a whim could lead to regret. Plan your exit strategically—line up another opportunity or at least have a clear plan for what's next.
Ultimately, the fact that you're fantasizing about switching places with a subway musician is a clear sign that something needs to change. Whether that means quitting banking or finding ways to make your current situation more manageable is up to you. But remember, as many WSO users have pointed out, life is too short to be miserable every day.
Sources: When would you quit?, ~3 months in. I really want to quit banking. What should I do?, Do you guys actually enjoy your jobs?, IB midlife crisis at 23… please help, Do you guys actually enjoy your jobs?
no, you're just sleep deprived and think with your ass
bump
Take a holiday and see if you feel the same afterwards.
If so, then yeah, probably leave.
The holiday thing was real for me. Did this some months ago and definitely solidified my decision at a time when many others were leaving my group and others were also planning (but ultimately chose not to)
I left financial services to start my own business and do the digital nomad route - no regrets. I think being a street performer is a bit of a stretch, though. Would be a fun side hustle (I do standup comedy and run multiple YouTube channels on the side, for example), but you can find a fulfilling personal life in standard 9-5 jobs or something like corp. dev/strategy. A fulfilling personal life in financial services, law or consulting (especially if your firm requires a lot of travel) can be very difficult.
It sounds like you're starting to burnout - burnout can be tough and can take a lot longer to recover from than people think. I worked non-stop for nearly 7 years and it took me almost 1.5 years to fully recover from burnout.
thank you for this. how many years had you been working since graduating before going the digital nomad route? amazing that you have no regrets!
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