OK mate..............It is an understandable dilemna you have here- my personal preference would be to chase the lifestyle you are after a more relaxed (maybe) lifestyle- that well no dount aid your (rather venerable) mental state- life will be harsh for maybe a little while- but things will start to pick up after a while and you will probably find yourself earning more and enjoying it- money isn't everything- it is an important resource- but not everyting
My job here in Italy pays quite a bit less than my job in NZ- But I took it because it is more relaxed and more enjoyable- although I am a slightly different basket of fish- as I am asset-rich- and I often live on that