I’m of the opinion that Leia needs to have a very specific reason for abandoning her Jedi path in order for it to be satisfying. Plus, this way she is explicitly following in the footsteps of her mother, Padme.
If it is because she thought it was more helpful to be a politician, why is that? If she would’ve remained a Jedi she wouldn’t have had to look for Luke all throughout the trilogy to gain his help. They could’ve just been fine with her.
I always thought the theatrical version of that scene had a much more compelling reason with her sensing the death of her son at the end of her Jedi path. She felt pressured to make a decision base on her premonition vs her just choosing a different lifestyle.
Also, it kinda connects nicely to her body not disappearing until the death of her son and in effect making that the end of her Jedi path.
My two cents.