That's EXACTLY the reason I'm in my current job. I got asked several times whether I want to be a team leader, product owner or even assistant VP of engineering, and if I'm sure I only want to be a programmer.
And I said to the director of engineering who recruited me, more or less this:
"I can do all those and be rather good at them, too. But right now I want to focus on my physical and mental health so I want to work as a senior programmer with minimum supervision who takes ownership of big features or refactorings, and to be knee-deep in the code. All other soft skills that I have I only want to utilize to become the best colleague that you have."
My honesty was highly appreciated and I got an immediate job offer. I like the job. It's relatively chill, the colleagues are nice, the challenges are doable, and there's almost no pressure. I am mostly okay working for the company.
So long story short, I completely agree with you: sometimes you need a chill job so you can focus more on your life.
That would be a perfectly fine reason! Ideally this comes out in the interview process, for example if the candidate is asked why they're leaving their previous role and says that work/life balance was an issue. As long as their needs match what you're offering, great.
The thorniest situation is the overqualified, currently unemployed candidate. That person is often not trying to make a lifestyle change, but instead looking to pick up a paycheck for a few months until something better comes along (for good reason!).
And I said to the director of engineering who recruited me, more or less this:
"I can do all those and be rather good at them, too. But right now I want to focus on my physical and mental health so I want to work as a senior programmer with minimum supervision who takes ownership of big features or refactorings, and to be knee-deep in the code. All other soft skills that I have I only want to utilize to become the best colleague that you have."
My honesty was highly appreciated and I got an immediate job offer. I like the job. It's relatively chill, the colleagues are nice, the challenges are doable, and there's almost no pressure. I am mostly okay working for the company.
So long story short, I completely agree with you: sometimes you need a chill job so you can focus more on your life.