jplarose80's journey

I’m currently feeling uneasy about my job security at my company where I’ve worked for 17 years. I’ve always been proud of my work and have consistently received excellent reviews, earning me the title of 'golden child.' However, everything changed two years ago when the lead project manager left and my current boss took over. Since then, my work has been criticized, and I’ve received two bad reviews despite my output remaining strong. My boss seems to view me as the highest-paid employee with average performance, which has been frustrating. After my first bad review, I tried to pivot to freelance work, but it proved to be much more challenging than I anticipated. I’ve since sent out around 200 resumes in search of a new job, but I’m still looking. Recently, my boss suggested a monthly check-in to discuss a performance improvement plan, which has added to my stress. I feel like I’m on his bad side and that my time here may be limited. I’m considering whether I should try to ride it out until I’m let go or if I should approach him to discuss an exit plan. This situation is particularly stressful as I have a wife and kids to support. I’m feeling lost and would appreciate any advice on how to navigate this tough situation.