Ask HN: anyone ever drop everything and leave software dev behind?

I know most everyone that hangs out here sees themselves as hackers/coders/etc, but anyone ever leave the software world to do something unrelated? I've been programming professionally for 5 years now, and am at a point where I can't really take it anymore.

The problem?

* Golden handcuffs - I'm leaving a lot of unvested money on the table if I leave, and realistically speaking if I leave this job I won't get anything that pays nearly as well for years

* Lack of "support group" - sure I could up and move to , but I don't really have much of a social circle so I'm a bit daunted by the prospect of being even more alone

* Still want to code - I don't hate software, but my job has made me realize that I'm really just a mediocre programmer with really good domain knowledge

* Aspirations - if I leave the corporate coding world, all of the other things I really want to do aren't exactly less stressful - move to LA and become a filmmaker, move to SF and join a startup, etc.

On the plus side, I can afford to be unemployed for at least a year, so I'm seriously considering just quitting outright to figure things out (with the caveat mentioned above that once I leave, coming back to this job/pay level is not going to happen). Anyone have similar thoughts/experiences/stories?

My suggestion: keep your job and work hard to become a better programmer in your spare time. Pick a side project that interests you. When the golden handcuffs come off, get the money, and move to SF to join or start a startup. You'll have more funds and be a better developer because of it.

What about it can you "not take anymore"?

If the money's good and you're miserable anyway,the money isn't doing what it promised. Move to SF and join a startup sounds like a good way to inject some excitement. But that goes back to my original question.

I did the reverse-- I went from majoring in English and teaching high school to embedded systems engineering.

It took a few things-- some aptitude for the field, a lot of determination, some money for a master's degree (over the course of 3 years), and a friend taking a chance on me with a summer internship. After about a year, it was pretty clear that it was going to work. I think I could make a similar switch again if I had the motivation.

It seems the major difference in your case is that you're not sure what you'd rather do, while I had a strong desire for engineering. I would try to figure out where you're headed before you start on the journey.

I do not think so it's a wrong question here. Many a programmer feel this way at one point in time or other .