Why not simply quietly refuse to jump on that train? Maintain velocity, keep working as per your contract, not a second more. Don't pick up phones outside work hours, weekends are for yourself, recharging and family. You know, humane working conditions, the only setup sustainable long term without risking permanent (both mental and physical) health damage.
No amount of money is worth that, despite many otherwise brilliant people get into tunnel vision (mortgage, some investment, chasing some top performer image or whatever else) and then SHTF.
Maybe its my European perspective, maybe I am old enough to realize its just a job and life satisfaction and legacy is defined by very different things, maybe I don't give a fuck anymore. Maybe all of it.
Maybe it is possible when you have a sane social safety net. If I don't work and I get sick, I will not be able to afford treatment. If I need a loan for a new car (might be necessary to find a new job) or home repairs, and they see I'm not working. I will not be approved.
You write a new car, you write home repairs. I've never bought a new car, despite it being always an affordable option - they are simply too expensive, literally throwing money into fire. If you are a home owner, it means you are at least moderately wealthy, probably more.
If you ended up as a prisoner in some sort of golden cage, your own choices brought you there. Probably too late for you but a cautionary tale for others - dont go down that path unless you grok what it really means, its a decision for rest of life.
Also I never said don't work. Just dont be a prisoner of your company, with your rationale you already gave up the fight for yourself and ended up as a modern slave to... ability to afford health care treatment?
Maybe start some good sports, eat healthy and sleep well and healthcare costs will most probably not be your major concern till retirement.
No amount of money is worth that, despite many otherwise brilliant people get into tunnel vision (mortgage, some investment, chasing some top performer image or whatever else) and then SHTF.
Maybe its my European perspective, maybe I am old enough to realize its just a job and life satisfaction and legacy is defined by very different things, maybe I don't give a fuck anymore. Maybe all of it.