I agree with most of the posts here so far, side projects only go so far to help you deal with it, but the future is pretty grim too. If you stick at this, and then get settled, there's actually very little to push you off the treadmill.
Corporate IT is mind-numbingly dull. You will never be a big fish, no matter what your title says you are, and you'll always have the feeling you missed the boat, because coprate IT is always years behind the curve. I speak from experience!
If I had my time again, I'd do everything I could to get into a tech start-up, or do one myself. You'll learn all you need along the way, and more. Stuff that corporate meetings and politically messy projects will never teach you.
If you have family that can support you, just go for it.