I quit a job in finance in 2015 to travel Asia for 6 months Solo. Best 6 months of my entire life. Thinking about doing it again soon, only for a few years instead.

Coming back was extremely difficult. My employer rehired me when I returned so I was lucky there. However The travel changed me in many ways. I moved past money on this trip. I did not want to move back to focusing on money when I returned, so when I returned all my peers re engaged in the same conversations we used to have (financial strategies, etc), however I didn't want to be a part of it really. I changed on the trip.

I've been back in the states for about a year now, and it's back to normal. Unfortunately my life is now again focused on money, but it's okay for the time being.

I look back and realize that if quitting my job for travel ruined my finance career (it didn't), it still would have been worth it.

Keep in mind, I negotiated with my employer hard before I left as I wanted to return to my job when I came back, so I was aware I would have my job waiting for me when I came back.