[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.