[second--shift]

I haven't taken any time off since I began working. I have taken several vacations over the last 5 years, between 3-10 days in length (some variance in types, destinations, etc.).

> There could be a middle ground where you don't have to quit your job and that your employer would be happy to accommodate (if they care about their employees).

I would love to discuss this type of exchange - how should I approach this with my current boss? My team has about 5 people but about 10 peoples' worth of incoming work - we are all feeling the pain. I'm fully ready to amicably part ways & not come back - but it seems like it's common to come back to the place one departs from.

[lamp_book]

Several years ago my friend told his manager he was quitting and left to hike the PCT for 6 months. Not long after he finished up his old job got in touch for contract work, and has been doing that since. He does a form of tech/PM consulting, not development, but I could see something similar happening in your case if you did the same.

You could frame it to your boss as you're leaving to take off time for a couple of months and just mention that you could be interested in coming back and go from there. Obviously no guarantees in either direction.