Feeling stuck - should I walk away from a stressful career and move home?

Hey everyone, I’m in my late 20s and currently working in tech. On paper, it’s a great job — I make around six figures, have solid benefits, and technically should feel “set.” But lately, I’ve been feeling completely drained.

I work remotely full-time, and while that sounded amazing at first, it’s honestly been isolating. Most days, I’m alone in my apartment, bouncing between calls, projects, and the constant pressure to perform. Even after hours, I can’t seem to shut my brain off — I’m always thinking about work, worrying about what I didn’t get done, or stressing about the next thing.

The truth is, I miss my family and my hometown a lot. Every time I visit, I feel more like myself again — calmer, happier, and more grounded. I’ve been seriously thinking about moving back and simplifying my life — maybe taking a smaller or part-time job while I figure out what’s next.

I have decent savings (enough to make the move without panicking), and a close friend has offered me a cheap place to stay. But I’m afraid of walking away from a “good” career and wondering later if I made a mistake. At the same time, I don’t want to keep living like this — anxious, disconnected, and constantly learning or chasing things that don’t bring me peace.

Lately I’ve been thinking more about my future — and I realize I want a calmer, more grounded career. Something that lets me clock out at the end of the day and actually be present when I have a family someday. I want to come home from work and be able to focus on the people I love — not bring my stress or laptop to the dinner table.

I guess my main questions are: • Has anyone left a high-paying but stressful career to move home or simplify life — and how did it go? • Did you regret it later, or did it give you the peace you needed? • How do you know when it’s time to actually walk away instead of just “pushing through”? • And if you’ve done something like this — how did you rebuild your purpose or career after stepping away?

I just want a simpler, more peaceful life where I feel happy, close to my people, and not constantly on edge. Any personal stories or advice would really mean a lot.