Now that I'm not working, my friends say I am much more relaxed and and look years younger. Working 16 hour days and feeling as though I wasn't getting anything accomplished was bruising my spirit.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE money. But the trade-off wasn't worth the dollars.

Some random thoughts;

I have been very happy most of my life and consider myself lucky. Lately, some tough times and too many choices have made me discontent.
For me – I think the idea of a gratitude journal could get me back to the "glass half full" attitude that would work well for me. I suspect this is one of the great benefits of religious traditions of daily gratitude.

Another factor i think worth bearing in mind is the age of people you are interviewing.
If you survey 30 year olds, you will probably find they are working too hard and kids are making them more stressed than their single friends who are also 30. But interview 60 year olds, and the single ones may regret never having kids. The 60 year old early workaholics with grown up families may be of on a trip with their gray haired partner – and glad they slaved all those years to get there.
So without wanting to sound contrary to the drive of this post – Short term unhappiness, for some, might still lead to greater life satisfaction overall – all be it offset in time.

Thanks for the great post.