Life happens in your 30s. Meaning you get a spouse, house, and kids. Suddenly work becomes less of a priority and even if it doesn't you have a lot less time and energy to dedicate to it.
I also think there's a frustration limit. Like if your spouse is being a jerk, the kids are being dicks, and the plumbing broke you don't want to mess around with a new technology. You want something easy and easy is what you already know.
>I feel so broken because of it and I know my next job is going to be a third of what I'm paid now because it won't be software.
I would not do that. You're probably just burned out. Take some time off and switch jobs before switching careers. Especially one that will pay 1/3 of what you make now. At least start saving up 2/3s of your salary for a while to see what it'd be like.
The problem is that I've done that before. I took a year off not working at all, just traveled and fucked around, and then got my current job. Also my partner is great and I have no kids or really any problems at all in home life. I've only lasted at my current job for a year (already gave notice). Granted my current job is very similar to my last one - maybe that's the problem.
I'm currently saving about half of what I make. Finances will be easier when I'm not the only one with an income and my partner is days away from a very probable job offer.
I'm wanting to transition to project management and eventually product management. Product management can pay pretty well ($150k+) once you're established. I can afford to not really save much for 5 years until I'm back into six figure income.
I also think there's a frustration limit. Like if your spouse is being a jerk, the kids are being dicks, and the plumbing broke you don't want to mess around with a new technology. You want something easy and easy is what you already know.
>I feel so broken because of it and I know my next job is going to be a third of what I'm paid now because it won't be software.
I would not do that. You're probably just burned out. Take some time off and switch jobs before switching careers. Especially one that will pay 1/3 of what you make now. At least start saving up 2/3s of your salary for a while to see what it'd be like.