As a current 4th year graduate student, I opened the link and found the choice to accept or decline the admission offer, I don't know why I clicked decline without thinking.
I was secretly hoping it will tell me "you win" when I clicked decline.
"You decline the PhD offer and end up happy with an intellectually satisfying six-figure role in tech. You are surprised when you learn that your older colleague with a PhD earns just as much as you do."
I did the same. The only way to win is not to play.
Your prize is always wondering if you should have done it. I know people that say one of their biggest regrets was electing to pass on the PhD path. The grass, unfortunately, is always greener.
Add me to the list. It would have destroyed me but I still regret not doing it.
That was my first inclination as well, although my PhD is now already a few years in the past. Talk about PTSD.