Comment by ToonDoom

The first time I sat at a keyboard I loved coding. I was a manager for a couple years and got proficient but never got the joy I had coding.

I’ve gone back to coding (team lead 80% hands on, won’t lead a team bigger than 6). I’m happy again and getting paid >200k through contracting.

Don’t stop yourself going back if you don’t get a buzz out of your job. Nothing else really matters.