"My friends make fun of me for making a retarded life decision" ... You need to find some new friends. If these so called friends can't find it in themselves to show a little empathy for you, they are not your friends.

ps. Not working for the man is always a good decision. You will never starve working for the man, but you will also never get ahead. It sounds like you've got a crisis of faith. You need to ask yourself what you really want in life. If you can't stomach life without a safety net, then by all means, go back to a full-time job.