Thanks for the kind words guys. I'm reading each and every one of your replies, and I can see some of you getting enraged on my behalf, hahaha.

To clarify, I'm not leaving just so my bully gets the last laugh. I simply want nothing to do with them and to know that they event exist in my life at the moment is upsetting. In fact, I'd confront them if I can but I don't wanna risk making a scene.

hksgmy understands where I'm coming from. I would say the presence of bully was what kickstarted the thought of daring to resign in 2 short weeks. There are many other factors at play too, though if I had to pick a second factor, I'd fault client-facing being another putoff. Great role, but I'd rather be managing my own team than stakeholders . Alas, we can't have it all. The largest concern I have here is my job hunting prospects after resignation.

I am however, quite fundamentally a solo-ist, and enjoy the simple pleasures of working by myself.

But to the million dollar question - How bad is the market, I'm seeing lots of people agreeing that the market is absolutely shite at the moment? I took an 18% paycut and am worried the next job, if I get one in due time, is another 10 - 20% paycut, which is ugh.