Oh boy I feel for you...but you know in your gut that once you get over the hill...relief will come.(for a while)The advice many presented, will work but there may be an easier way.With respect to stepping down as an elder you need simply to be very ASSERTIVE in what YOU want to do with YOUR time and life. Yeah that's it! No big reasons...no lenghty explaination...heck just say "that's it I'm done...if they ask why, be evasive , be vague BUT be pleasant...AND speak with resolve. YES....because between us...we know the reason why they try to bully you into staying as an elder... it is because they are Envious!!!! They are Jealous of you...they themselves have a gut feeling that you are the 'smart one'..you will no longer be slaving for a lost cause...and so they don't want you to get away scott free with what they also want!!! hahaha... Let your body language tell them that you are onto to this little secret! You will look like your reasons are VERY SELFISH...but hey isn't this the better of all evils? haha
Have a smile on your face...walk tall...be happy...and let your YES mean yes, your no mean NO. Keep your replies simple yet free from suspicion... except that you are taking charge of your life and that from now on...you will be doing thiings your way...that's it! This will help in doing the SLOW FADE AWAY...OUT to where they too would LOVE to be.
Oh and it's better to do this while you are still some what "ignorant" about the truth regarding the "troof".
Ignorance is bliss!
just my 2 cents
Martini