Your situation is all too common.
You shouldn’t need to work that much to survive. I used to do it too, but I’ve taken a step back the past few years so I can work less and do the things I enjoy. Sure, I make less money now, but I have time to do things for myself like cook, grow a garden, and walk or bike places instead of driving, which all save me money. I’m much happier these days.
I 100% agree that there are far too many people working the hours I work out of necessity. I also agree that I shouldn’t have to work the hours that I do, but I’m also in a less common situation where I’m working these hours out of (to an extent) my own free will. I’m in my clinical year of vet school right now so I fully knowingly signed up for this ahead of time. I absolutely could get another job somewhere else, that would probably pay just as well with better work life balance, but honestly I love what I do too much.
None of that is to say that the medical field isn’t horribly exploitative and in desperate need of an overhaul. But also I’m not going to be the one to push for that change, or at least not until I’m firmly established in my field. Unfortunately I’ve gotta just go along with it for now if I want to be able to keep doing what I love.
