I gave up a job that paid more than any flying job ever will, but it was also very stressful.
I was lucky to get sponsored by an airline and at 35 I have just unfrozen my licence. It took 3.5yrs to get from nothing to a full licence. I've wanted to be a pilot pretty much all my life, I was sponsored by the RAF through college and Uni but my eyesight let me down in 3rd year of Uni.
Now 15yrs on since the RAF dropped me, I have my full EASA ATPL.
Was it worth it?? I don't know. Airline jobs have so many annoyances with them that 9-5 jobs don't. Want to go to that wedding in 5 months time? Only if you can get the weekend off. Last minute holiday booking? Forget it. Summer holiday with the kids? No chance because its done on a stupid system called seniority.
Now, everyone can say "ah but you knew all this...". Nonsense. I guarantee that no matter how many bases you think you have covered, this industry will continue to throw open a can of worms at you.