I sorta fell into this industry on a career break - 7 years ago - still here... hey ho.
Lot of our guys n' gals take career break option - seems the smartest way for anyone in two minds.
Having worked as 'something in the city' previously, I acknowledge that crew do somtimes have to put up with a heck of a lot for not much reward, however this must be one of the last industries in the world with protected 'time off' and that means a lot to someone like me who comes from a work ethic where peer pressure meant working all hours and feeling guilty about taking a break!!
Good luck with your new job, but I wouldn't burn my bridges!