What to do if one comes to a realization that research and post graduate studies is not for him/her?
Life may not allow for a redo, but it definitely allows for changes of direction when you find your previous plan is not working. You have not committed career suicide. At the very worst, you have spent a few years on something that interested you, without also advancing your career other than by learning how to do research, write papers etc. Let yourself mourn for the career you wanted, but then start looking forward to the rest of your life. The postdoc gives you some time to work out what to do next, and shift in the direction you choose.

There are three sets of issues you need to consider:


Your own likes and dislikes. Even if your first choice field is a dead end, you are likely to do better at something you somewhat enjoy, and avoid anything you hate unless the alternative is homelessness and starvation.
Your skills, assets, and resources. For example, even a bachelor's degree is a significant asset, and you have a PhD. You have the ability to learn, which will be invaluable if you decide to change fields. To get a PhD, you have completed a non-trivial project and written a dissertation. You have well above average writing skill and focus, and can prove it to a potential employer. I can only mention generalities. You should be able to list specific skills.
Available work. There seems to be a shortage of academic work in your current field. In that case, you need to either change fields, or switch to industry, or both. Deciding which is best depends on your field, skills, and what work is available where.


Your school may have career councilors. They will be primarily concerned with helping students, but may be available to postdocs. Talking all this over with someone could help.