I have been in your camp for decades, my advice:
Find a way to regain that bit of excitement in the science that you studied for so long. it's actually not that hard once you become so good that people seek your advice from around the world.
Start a company: in your field of expertise, fail that company and start another one, as long as it takes.
Boost your income in the high or above 6 figures, buy your helicopter and enjoy flying without the constraints of it being a job.
Take the aircraft with your son for a camping trip at the top of the mountain, and other great experiences.
As you get close to retirement you might have a reputation as aircraft operator and some clients for a photo flight here and there to break even.
in the meantime spend some of that extra money becoming a great pilot, go heavy, fly a lot and a variety of aircraft, (beyond R22s)
stick with a good instructor, and do some solo flying. you would be surprise how a couple of hours of flying perr weekend can really energize you for another week of productive work.