I am glad you picked up on it!!

Though in fairness from the sounds of things from some people exiting industries that are now short (nursing jumping to mind most immediately) situation sounds pretty untenable for the most part.

It is. We want affordable healthcare, but we are happy to pay sports stars a hundred million a year to hit a ball. There is a misalignment of demand.

And yeah, I know it isn't easy on TikTok, but my point is that if everyone was moving into those kinds of professions, even though there might be money in it, there isn't food and shelter in it. The skills needed to farm, build, create, make etc are still needed, but there is no one to do it. Here, there are companies pulling welders out of retirement and paying them well because there are no young people able.

Plans never go to plan. The accuracy degrades the younger the planner. :)

Like both were horrified that I gave up a business that was becoming successful "just" because I really, really wasn't enjoying it anymore

Some people think they are able to work through, as long as they make enough money. It is rarely the case, as while people want the money, they want it for the lifestyle it buys and those kinds of people, are affected by the lifestyle of work too. Very few just want the money.

Do you remember the push for girls to get into STEM in Australia? They outperformed the boys all the way. When they made their selections for university, not much changed, they still did nursing and teaching etc, like they had always chosen. There is the same thing with what people want to do. I know lots and lots of professional women, most would prefer to stay at home with their kids, but they actually feel that they can't, as it is like letting the team down. There is social pressure. Many men want to stay home too, but there is social pressure to be the bread winner there also.