I also quit my job, thinking I would take off 6 months. That was 2 years ago. Since then I have alternated doing contract work (I'm a programmer/analyst) with bike touring and rock climbing.
I tried to take a sabbatical and they didn't let me, so I searched my soul and quit. I'm not the least bit sorry, I didn't really like that job anyway. Would have been hard to give up a good job. Also, I don't have kids or a mortgage, that helps a lot. This is not to say there are no down-sides... mostly around future financial security. Oh well, you only live once, and who knows how long that will last.
I don't think I can go back to full time cube-imprisonment, but I have been working since January 15th....
Anna
.... Off to take a 5 day mini-tour in Big Sur in about 15 minutes.....