I recently quit my job due to having an eerily similar feeling. I saved enough money to take a break for even a year or two if I want. It is difficult to express how much more fulfilled I feel following my own academic pursuits rather than someone else's business plan.

So far my plan for the future is:

  1. Enjoy as much time off as my heart desires, until I start feeling monetary pressure.
  2. Suck it up and get a job that is boring and pays an inordinate amount of money.
  3. Do that for 1-2 years, living frugally, fattening my savings.
  4. Repeat.

Better suggestions welcome.