I started my PhD in my mid-30s. I was working as engineer support staff at a science institute at the time and was encouraged to enroll in a PhD course. I dropped out of the course and academia all together after 5 years for various reasons, among others being burned out and developing health problems. I would describe myself similar to you, loving to do research and working on hard problems, but that's just a part of getting a PhD.
I strongly suggest reading the "How to Survive your Doctorate" [1]. It goes into social, financial and office politics side of doing a PhD. You might think that it's something you can avoid, but it's not. It's a book I wish I've read before going down the PhD route.
I strongly suggest reading the "How to Survive your Doctorate" [1]. It goes into social, financial and office politics side of doing a PhD. You might think that it's something you can avoid, but it's not. It's a book I wish I've read before going down the PhD route.
[1] https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Jane-Matthiesen/dp/0335234445