[groaner]

> What I did do: learned basic Mandarin, established a relationship that has lasted 20+ years, read many non CS / non-technical books, focused on getting healthier and fitter.

Would imposing a structure and setting goals for your time off have helped or interfered with these (admittedly admirable) results?

[epc]

I think it would have helped with re–entering a normal work environment, I don't think it would have interfered with the results.

Honestly (and this is ~20+ years in the past now) getting some sort of therapy after spending five years in the dot com craziness would helped as well. Sometimes it's difficult to realize you’re in a toxic environment until you’re well removed from that environment.