Head (boring permy stability) v. Heart (contractor mentality/benefits) Conundrum

[lukemg]

I think you will find it hard to commit to the role, you are already having doubts (it's a contractor curse, you can't go back). You are trying to convince yourself about the money as well.
Could treat it as a 2 year contract, that way you can have an end date in mind (choose March...) which might help.
Don't keep looking too hard, it will eat you up about potential exits.
Couple of years, economy in different state, take another look.
It WILL be hard though....

[curtis]

I think this is good advice if you are siding more with the permie job. Like was said just see it as another contract, all be it a very long one, remember you have your notice period to use no different to if you hit a bad contract, if being on the dark side becomes just too much and set a date in the future which will then become like your 'end date' of a contract where you will review your situation and leave and go back to contracting if need be.

I've only been contracting 2.5 years and this was how I got through some of my permie roles before I started contracting as I hated the feeling of being stuck in a pemrie job for too long, I just kept setting myself dates to work to, it was still hard but it helped a lot, it meant it never felt quite so never ending!!!