[zonethundery]

I did this for a career change, and it was worth it, but the adjustment period was extremely long (4-6x).

Financially it was okay (still painful; 20% cut + move to vhcol area), but I underestimated how much it would grate to _not matter_. I had grown accustomed to a certain level of deference and respect that was not available in the new role, and in fact my willingness to move "down" was viewed with some suspicion.

People will (almost) always assume you "couldn't cut it" in the old role (or had a mental health crisis or something), and higher-ranked people in the new job will rightly look at you as a potential threat from below.

Good luck. Moving back to IC can be good for some people, but I agree with the other poster that "self sabotage" is a phrase that suggests this may not be right for you.