[busterarm]

I'm north of 550, about half unplayed at this point.

After a grueling year of work ending in a layoff in 2007, I took a full year off in 2008. Played a lot of games, but also watched 4 films a day, became competent with several instruments, read a lot and started myself on the path to changing careers.

I have a stack of technical books on topics I'm deeply interested in that I don't have time to read. At this point, I see work as a major impediment to doing what I want with my life. It's a problem that I desperately want to solve, but I don't really have hope for a solution. I'm on the low-end of developer salaries.

[abrookewood]

Well, you managed to take a year off work which is pretty impressive! I've never had a year off and don't expect to until I retire :( You could always try remote work + moving to a cheaper country. Alternatively, if you can make money doing something you enjoy, it won't really feel like work.

[busterarm]

I worked remotely for 5 years and that's how I managed to "level up" and change careers.

The kind of stuff I want to focus on now though requires deep, focussed effort over an extended period of time.

I enjoy what I do but not as much as what I could be doing, if that makes sense.