Quitting my job to pursue a better life: Need advice and perspectives.

Hi everyone,
I spent some time debating where to post this, but I eventually realized that this space is really more about my own headspace. I’m looking to hear from people who might actually grasp the nuances of my situation better than the average person—if that doesn't sound a bit blunt,

The issue is,
My current job offers me small windows of time to work on personal projects—sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on how the day unfolds. It’s one of those roles where hierarchy is everything and duties are assigned based strictly on whatever needs arise at the moment (think military or police structures). I’ve come to realize this just isn't my path. The challenges have dried up, and I’ve developed this deep sense of resentment toward the work because I know I’m capable of much more. It feels suffocating, especially being surrounded by people who seem perfectly content staying exactly where they are.

The potential fix,
About six months ago, I started teaching myself how to code. I’ve found that I can lose myself in programming for hours at a time, though finding the actual time is a struggle. My primary job drains my mental battery before I even get a chance to start, and trying to juggle a heavy workload, daily training sessions, coding, learning other skills to stay sharp, and maintaining a relationship... it’s a lot. My plan is to leave this job entirely and live off my savings for a while. I want to give myself the breathing room to dive deep into software development and shed this weight I carry every single day. A few months ago, something just clicked; I looked around and realized I was settling, and frankly, the lack of intellectual stimulation from my superiors and peers is starting to feel insulting.

The advice and perspective I’m looking for is simple: is walking away a smart move? No one can guarantee that a career in tech is the right fit for me. I haven't reached the point where I know how I'll handle high-stakes professional environments, and the sheer uncertainty of being unemployed, combined with everything else going on in the world right now, makes the idea pretty daunting. Staying here is becoming impossible; it’s getting harder to focus when my energy is constantly being scattered by things that feel increasingly trivial.
If I take this leap, I’d have to slash my spending significantly. I could manage it, but I’d essentially be putting myself under a sort of self-imposed lockdown for a few months until I land something. Being an introvert, the isolation itself wouldn't bother me, but the mental toll and the inevitable criticism from my parents weigh on me. They don't quite get it. Even if I try to tune out what others think, they were the ones who instilled certain insecurities in me during my childhood, and those old triggers are still very easy to pull.
What should I do?

P.S. The parents aren't the core issue; it’s more about the broader context. Growing up, the narrative was always that you find a "good" job and you stick with it, settle down, and blah, blah, blah. No one ever mentioned searching for something that actually fits your individual nature. I don't know if programming is my ultimate dream job—it probably isn't—but it provides everything this current role lacks.

You only get one shot at this life, so you might as well live it in a way that actually makes you happy. Everything else tends to fall into place eventually if you just listen to your gut and chase what fulfills you. And honestly, what’s the worst that could happen if things go south? It’s not like it matters much when you’re already miserable stuck in a dead-end job like this one.
If I were to offer any advice at all, it would be to start networking with actual developers—just hang out, listen, and soak up everything you can. Put in the work, stay driven, and try to find some creative spark.
Oh, and for heaven's sake, don't just lock yourself away in your apartment like a hermit. You really need to get out for at least two or three hours a day—go for a walk, meet up with friends, spend time in a park, or do literally anything that keeps you from feeling totally drained. You have to prevent life from becoming this exhausting, monotonous grind.
Just go for it.

I’m honestly not sure how to put this. I actually got lucky when I was laid off during the pandemic—it felt like a blessing in disguise because my inner circle didn't have any choice but to back me while I pivoted into programming and explored other interests.

As for whatever chaos is happening in the world right now, if an apocalypse actually happens, I’d much rather face it solo, lost in whatever intellectual rabbit hole I've fallen down, than be stuck surrounded by zombies—which, let's be honest, sounds a lot like the crowd you're dealing with at your job.

Wait, isn't there some kind of loophole at those big federal agencies where you can just take a whole year off unpaid and then somehow slide right back into your old job?🤔

Look, if you’re miserable at your current job and thinking about jumping into software engineering, honestly, you can't really lose.
I actually think you could start applying right now—I mean, there's a massive shortage of devs everywhere. Just be upfront about being a beginner, show them you're hungry to learn, and prove you've got the logic down. You don't need to be some kind of genius. You might have to take a hit on the salary early on, but after that? It’s entirely up to you how much you want to make. Taking a course would definitely help, though (check out www.coursera.org at the very least). Just give it a shot. Good luck. 👍