Artificial Horizon,
I’m sorry to hear that, but I’m convinced you need to disregard all the negatives associated with this profession if you really want to succeed and be happy. Of course, with a wife to please, it’s not always feasible.
You almost need to put the rest of your life on hold until you reach the ideal situation i.e. for you perhaps an airline job with fewer sectors/higher pay or leaving the airlines completely for another flying job….scenic flights for tourists in New Zealand?
So, sacrifices have to be made all every stage…from the wannabe who would sell his/her mother to get into the RHS to the overworked Capt who wants quality of life.
Anyway, make sure you look after No.1, after all, if you stress too much you could fail the next medical.
Could you go back to your previous profession if you chose to? Maybe fly at weekends for fun…
K2