Moved jobs from a comfortable role to something more challenging - have I made the right decision?
I recently changed jobs and I’ve felt almost instant regret and anxiety - I’m not sure I made the right decision and now i’m worried about my future.
I was in my previous role for 4 years and generally enjoyed it. It was a legal contract negotiator role for a large investment bank. I never dreaded getting up for work and going into the office. It was a very comfortable and safe space for me and generally a nice environment to work in. I was never overworked and had a lot of flexibility and free time during my working day (9am to 5pm). My main reasons for looking at other jobs at the time was due to (1) being slightly underpaid compared to the market (~ £48,000 at VP level ) with little hope for any major pay increases in the coming years; (2) a lack of promotion chances/development in coming years due to the firm being too “top heavy” and no real business need for any further VP + roles and (3) a declining culture where there was increased cost cutting and removal of certain additional benefits (christmas party cancelled and health benefits deterioration etc). In the last year or so, I did develop an apathy to do anything more than the bare minimum and admittedly got increasing lazy in my application to the job - this also played a part in my initial decision to look elsewhere.
My new role is in a slightly different field where I have no current experience - it is a compliance consultancy role. Despite my lack of direct experience, I did well in the interview and got offered a salary of £70,000 (an increase of 46% compared to my previous salary). This new role is a lot more client facing and requires daily video calls with various clients - it is a lot more demanding and lacks any real guidance or structure as to how to do the job. Something I’ve really struggled with so far.
I’ve been in my new role now for 5 weeks but have had almost daily anxiety/panic attacks and a general feeling of desperation. I dont think this new role is for me (i dont like the compliance aspect compared to my previous legal role/ I dont like the constant video calls and always having to be fully switched on / I dont like the lack of structure and guidance to the job).
I am a nervous wreck at present and cant seem to rationalise why I made the decision to move a job I generally liked and was comfortable in. Yes it maybe was slightly underpaid and yes there was a lack of growth opportunities in the next few years but it was somewhere I felt very comfortable and at home in. It didnt take over my life and I was generally stress free at work (something I really value as I’m more of a “work to live” / not overly a career focused person).I feel my new job will take a lot more of my time and I wont have the same flexibility during the working day. Its also a lot more demanding in terms of networking events, social events etc which I generally dont like.
Whilst I told myself at the time I was making the move for career growth and opportunity, ultimately I think I made the decision purely based on ego and the large salary increase. People always say dont move just for money and this is exactly what I think I have done (albeit not fully consciously at the time).
I’m a person that has traditionally hated change and loved a consistent routine so this has played a part in my emotions also but I cant shake the feeling that I left a good job that caused my no stress and that I generally enjoyed.
Did i make the right decision? Should I stick out my new job or start looking for something else?
Posted Jul 17, 2025, 8:35 AM UTC