Is this the only way?

You are absolutely not alone in this feeling, and I am sorry you are going through such a tough time. It takes courage and clarity to realize this quickly—that immediate visceral reaction is your best internal compass. The pressure you feel is real, but it is external, and it is manageable.

Here is the strategic reality regarding your career timeline: The damage from leaving now is minimal, provided you handle the narrative correctly and quickly pivot into a better fit. A few months is easily digestible for most future employers. The recruiting machine looks for long-term trends, not micro-stints. Frankly, burning out over the next 12 to 18 months just to hit some arbitrary external minimum tenure would do far more long-term harm to your health, your performance reviews, and your network than pivoting now.

Your priority must be your mental health and developing a transition plan immediately. When you interview for the next role, you do not lead with anxiety or "I hated the travel." Instead, frame it as a strategic realization: you gained incredible insight into high-level problem-solving but discovered you were ready to focus on depth in a specific functional area (e.g., Product Strategy, Corp Dev) or industry where you could directly drive execution, which wasn't available in the generalist model. If the tenure is extremely short (under four months), some candidates even strategically omit the role entirely, though that depends on how major of a gap it creates on your CV.

Get out, prioritize your well-being, and treat this period as an expensive but quick learning experience. You have the brand name on your CV already—now go build tenure somewhere that doesn't cost you your sanity.

All the best with your next steps.

hey there :)

What you are describing is honestly so common in consulting, especially in the first months. You are definitely not alone, and it does not harm your career if you decide to leave early. Many people pivot after a few months once they realise the lifestyle just does not match who they are, and no one will judge you for taking care of your mental health.

Before making a final decision, it can really help to reach out to support structures inside your firm, and also speak with a psychologist. Understanding why exactly the anxiety shows up often brings back a sense of control, and you can absolutely work through this. There is nothing “wrong” with you for reacting this way, and you are much stronger than you think.

If you ever want to talk through options or just need someone who knows the consulting world well, feel free to reach out. I mentor a lot of people who face exactly this situation, and you are not alone in it.

best, Alessa :)

Hi there,
Firstly, I am so sorry that you're feeling this way. It makes all things in life feel heavy.

Secondly, you are definitely not alone in feeling this way. Many people in consulting feel this (which doesn't make it ok, but hopefully provides some comfort).

Regarding your question about what you should do.
1) Is it the firm's way of doing things or the industry in general? Would you consider joining a different firm that has softer/more flexible approach? (e.g., Boutique etc.)
2) If possible, take some time away from work to re-charge and calmly strategize without the pressures and anxiety of work. Many firms offer mental health leave - this is something that you could explore (it is a widely used benefit - even though many people don't talk about it)
3) If possible, work with a career coach to work through planning the next move (whether it is staying or going) to ensure you make your next move with direction and not from stress or exhaustion. 
Working with a coach can also be a great tool to overcome the societal pressures and external impact on you.
4) If you're not ready to work with a coach, I urge you to start journaling about what your ideal life and work looks like, in order to start building your personal blueprint for success.

I am an ICF certified coach (and do career coaching as well as case coaching). Happy to talk further if helpful - else, take care of yourself and good luck.

You're not alone.

Everyone is experiencing this (even my Principal and Partner friends)

That's the job - you were told this by the way, you just chose to not listen.

Now you have to choose if you can find a way to make it less bad or to leave.

My general advice if to figure out how to do things better (you're doing your work inefficiently, you're doing too much, you're not communicating properly, you're not prioritizing, etc. etc.) and survive until you have hit a milestone that is viewed as acceptable.

If you don't think you can, then quit.

How do you do things better? Two ways imo:

1) Google my name + Consulting Survival Guide. You'll find tips to help you

2) Hire a coach with all the $ you are making...so that you can keeping making $. They can help you figure out how to do the job better. It's an investment.

Oh I'm so sorry to read this. I've felt the way you describe on some Sunday evenings when in consulting as well. Esp if I was meant to go back to a project I wasn't enjoying.

I think you should take this as a serious sign. Indeed, it's not ideal that you would leave soon. But it's even worse to stay in a place that's not for you, perhaps hurting yourself in the process, and still leaving after. 

So if it's a possibility for you to leave and look for something else, then do it. 

But do make sure that you do this with a clear head. As in, not as an emotional response, but something that is thought through and when you feel like you've exhausted everything that you could've done to change the situation for the better. 

Best,
Cristian

Hi there,

You are definitely not alone and this is much more common than people openly admit. Consulting can be intense and for some people the travel, pace, and constant pressure just do not align with how they work or stay healthy. Whether or not leaving early may hurt your career depends on how you can frame the story to future employers in a way that makes sense. For example, family reasons, better opportunities elsewhere, etc. Whatever your decision is, remember that one role does not define you, and choosing your well being is not a failure even if it feels scary or goes against expectations.