I left my programming job in 2004 and spend the next 5-6 years studying, first a year of theology and then rest on Greek and Latin. It was probably not the best move career-wise, but it's something I had always wanted to try. I learned I'm happier coding, and that Greek is more fun as an amateur than a professional. Now I'm back in development, this time as a freelancer, and things seem to have worked out just fine. I have no regrets.