After graduating 21 years ago, I found myself getting laid off from my backend Java job. I didn't start finding a new job until February, and it wasn't until May that I secured a new position. Between the two jobs, I took some time off and interviewed at another company. My annual salary increased by 20%, but to my surprise, my take-home pay didn't change much, and I even experienced a slight decrease. The job I eventually took has me working long hours, sometimes exceeding 12 hours a day. I go to work at 9 am and leave at 5:30 pm, with barely any time to rest. On top of that, I also have to handle various side tasks and remote issues at odd hours of the night, including 5 am calls. What's even more frustrating is that I didn't take the first job offer I received, which had a 40% salary increase. Now, I'm exhausted, worried about my finances, and desperate to find a job with a better work-life balance. I'm currently applying to various positions, but it's a stressful and grueling process.