5 years ago when I finished my MSCS program. I thought 100k TC is a lot. I accepted an offer with 120k TC. Back at that time I was very happy. I bought a nice car, living in a luxury apartment and working on something I enjoyed. I said to myself. This is a good life. It would be nice to get a promotion and increase my TC to 200k in 5 years. I now have a TC of 250k. I have a great WLB. I still enjoy doing my job. I can rest and vest if I want. This is a perfect career plan. And I have most of things I want. I have even two rental properties that generate about 4k a month net income. If I choose to have a humble life I can already FIRE in somewhere cheap like Asia (my home town) There's seems nothing to keep chasing for. But I still want more. I want more TC even if that means I have to work harder and longer. But I don't really "need" more money. I just like the feel I am making a lot of money and been validated as a socially successful person. It is actually depressed me a little. Because I can't see an end of this. The feeling of can't stop chasing more. If I ever stoped now, all my friends will be more successful than me over time. I would feel shame if I made less money than my friends. But actually I shouldn't. I really wish I can feel enough someday.
Cool story TLDR
Buy yourself a golden coffin
This is deep
You're experiencing what psychologists call hedonic treadmill. There is no escaping.
You should think about what is fulfilling for you that doesn't relate to TC etc. That could manifest itself in volunteerism or hobbies etc. The choice is yours. You're in an enviable position and while it's hard you should try and avoid the keeping up with the Joneses mentality.
Can it be a beautiful / sexy trophy wife ?
Just keep chasing
The dream is real
Its called rat race
Drugs help tbh
You can stop at any time. I'm a non-SWE who went to grad school in the humanities in his spare time. My TC will probably never again hit 50 and I've stopped letting it bother me.
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