[rdrdss23]

"When you get back to the "real world" you'll never see it the same again :)"

I've been thinking about taking 9 months off (specifically traveling China, and learning Mandarin).

I'm worried that with all that taste of freedom I'll have an even harder time coming back and sitting in an office 8hrs/day (some weeks it's already like pulling teeth)

[embwbam]

Then don't. It's really pretty easy to get in to contract programming (making assumptions here). Especially if you default to long-term contracts. It's basically like a job but you get to pick how many hours you put in.

[sockgrant]

You will feel like that and it's a good thing. There's plenty of life outside of an 8hr/day desk job.

Don't be afraid :) Your desk job will always be there.

[rdrdss23]

Won't I condemn myself to be always restless and always working just enough to be able to quit and run away again?

[HeyLaughingBoy]

Perhaps. What's wrong with that?