Your story gives out a quick and simple alternative: "with a high paying job", I would have expected you to have enough savings to take 12 months off without becoming homeless. Use the first six months to build the knowledge it would take you years on your "free time" instead, then try applying it and earning from it.

If it fails and you need to accumulate more savings, go back to what you know you are good at for another stint before you try again.

IOW, don't just let it happen, but just try doing it instead.

(I fully understand that not everybody is in a position to do this, but you sound like you are.)