Stress around money - Open Discussion

I'd like to turn attention to financial stress for a minute (I wouldn't say Im FIRE, but I am also aiming towards a similar ish goal, hence posting here).

But something I see on this subreddit often is people having hit their FIRE target or seeing friends/family die early... and they have this realisation that their big focus on money maybe wasn't as worth it. Im sure there are arguments in the opposite direction too.

But on that note, I notice for myself I have a huge stress around money, my life has this underlying veneer of stress on it when it comes to finances, and retiring and being in a good position. Im aware this will be self-inflicted... and its something I'm working on.

But it does make me think... if I didn't do this, and I didn't stress it so much. Would I be just fine in retirement AND have enjoyed my youth a bit more?

Will I be one of these people with a wake up call and regret my time spent focussing on this?

I make a great income... and I push a huge majority of it to my future.

I still enjoy holidays and living now too... but I could 100000000% have a way higher quality of life and experience in my youth now, if I wasn't so future focussed.

But maybe this is the cost of having a better future? who knows

Side note, I'd also love anyones advice around removing stress in this area.