I'm about to turn 40, was in something of the same situation if you squint a little. As with anything YMMV, but here's my advice. Take your sabbatical, do some

I'm about to turn 40, was in something of the same situation if you squint a little. As with anything YMMV, but here's my advice. Take your sabbatical, do something crafty but not-at-all-software-related*. I chose ceramics. When you reach the point where you start programming tools to help with your new avocation, it's time to go back to the job market. Took me about 5 months. I made some beautiful (and ugly!) things, learned maybe the equivalent of an accelerated BFA with a minor in chemistry, have a new hobby ongoing, and am excited and enthusiastic about joining a new company shortly, doing something new and different, where my skills matter. * Woodworking, machining, welding, weaving, sewing, painting, bricklaying, stone carving, raising livestock, growing bonsai or orchids, meditation, long distance running. Whatever it is, pick something physical, grounded, and engrossing, where you can put a bunch of time and effort in, to achieve a real change of pace. If they think you're crude, go technical; if they think you're technical, go crude. I'm a very technical boy. So I decided to get as crude as possible. These days, though, you have to be pretty technical before you can even aspire to crudeness. -- William Gibson, Johnny Mnemonic