I ask myself that every time I've submitted a paper. It probably doesn't help that GPA is an easy surrogate for self-worth, which smoothly transformed into publishing for a self-worth measure. And the fact that I don't have particular research I want to do (just that I want to do research), is something I'll have to consider more-- probably a sign of bad foundational motives.
To rephrase the answer, I'll give some extra context. I was a SWE for 2 years before my PhD, and I was financially stable and content. The choice to give up that salary for science was not hard, but it was significant. Now that I've reached the end of my current science road, it would feel like giving up to go be a MLE/SWE. Obviously I could do a post-doc somewhere, but that kicks the can down the road again. I'm pretty sure I'm not a narcissist... I'll ask my friends hah.