The desire to break from worker mode and reconnect with childlike activities during breaks is a common phenomenon. Some individuals may not want to stop working entirely, but require a temporary break, calling into question how work became the central focus of our lives.
The speaker left their job and decided to take a non-work sabbatical where they wouldn't pursue any paid work, realizing that work had become the primary mode through which they identified themselves. They also realized some people don't want to stop working but rather just want a break in the financial independence retire early movement.
Many people feel the need to reconnect with their childhood hobbies and interests when taking a break from work. However, deeper questions arise about how work has become so central in our lives, as many individuals report feeling disengaged from their work.