- most of my friends were in work, so I lost those
- zero unemployment support + paying health insurance from your own pocket. If you are bootstrapping and need some decent runway, this matters (especially in EU)
- Big hole in your CV
- if you stay in metropolitan expensive area, your savings will run out fast...
- traveling while bootstrapping? you can pick only one
- if you never worked from home, your productivity and working habits will sink like a rock
I think better way is to gradually prepare yourself while working. Start some open-source stuff. Learn new language at your work. Do standup comedy over evenings, whatever.
Also try to bargain with (or blackmail) your boss. Workers who are actually qualified, are rare and generally underpaid. Retention is HUGE problem. You could start side project at work, with silent agreement from your boss. You could get work from home (and build working habits for your startup). You could even get location independence for reduced salary.