Well perhaps my "advanced age" can be of help here lol. I got a high paying corporate job right out of college with a major investment company (Fidelity). It was 12 hour days and office politics and the usual corporate middle mangement bullshit and backstabbing but I clawed my way up pretty far in a short time.

Then the market crashed and I was laid off with about 10,000 other smart ambitous young people. I was so disillusioned that I didnt even look for a job for 6 months.

I decided to do something fun and for the next ten years I did all kinds of interesting things from lifeguard to white water rafting guide, no stress, all fun, and mostly outdoors.

I only recently decided to rejoin the corporate world because I dont trust anyone but myself to provide for me in my retirement. (and it is NEVER to soon to think about planning for that) and that is where the easy bucks are to be made. I shopped around and found a management positon that allows me great freedom and quality of life and still pays a decent salary but... It is still pretty boring and not very challenging.

I guess my point is that if you can do something you love and get paid for it well then you have found the best thing going.

I took a lot of time off from "real jobs" and have never regretted doing it.

The really hard part is finding out what you love