Helen, I understand the bravery it took to take the steps you did, and kudos to you. At 52 I decided to take a year off because I found myself unwilling to just run away from an unfulfilling job, into the arms of another potentially unfulfilling job. The year's up andf I'm ready to bring the learnings, growth and personal observations with me back into workaday life. I appreciate the self-awareness your writing portrays, and the sophistication required to navigate the decisions you are making. Keeping going!