Hey there,

I’ve also worked in a place for over 10 years and towards the end of it, it felt as though they own me. Everyday I had to make myself go to work and when you exert that much energy to do something that you do 8-10 hours a day, it’s easy to see why you get depressed and lack energy to do anything else. The other more insidious effect that had on me is a constant feeling of not being good enough because I’d stay even though they didn’t treat me very well (e.g. the pay cut you mentioned is certainly a factor). It like an abusive relationship and the more I went back, the crappier I felt about myself.

So in the end, I left to take a lower pay job. It’s not an ideal environment (in fact I am going to start another job soon) but at least I know that I can leave and survive. My suggestion is that you should always go to a place where you are celebrated and not just tolerated. Sure money is a thing but you should consider how much are you selling your happiness, your dreams and your health for.

Good luck!