In August 2007 I completed my skills test and got my shiny new PPL. Exciting times. I wondered why
anybody would be nuts enough to get rid of their PPL afterwards. I'm now at that position where I may just do that.
There are a few reasons, but after 180 hours airborne, night rating & IMC I'm thinking of quitting because:
I've seen everything you can see as a PPL
Ok, I know this isn't true. There's lots of long flights to do, you still learn forever etc etc. However I've flown to France, several times, Netherlands, Belgium and around the South East. I've crossed the Irish sea and flown around N. Ireland & The Giants Causeway. I got my IMC.
Outside of super long trips I don't know where else to go. The longer trips require a very flexible job in case things go south. Something I don't have, as I *used* to earn good money which required an exemplary performance.
Unless I start to take longer, riskier, trips then I've hit all of the local targets. Usually several times.
My financial circumstances have changed
I have started a new business and so money is tighter. Whilst it doesn't preclude flying, I could certainly cover the renewal, I just have to now
really want to go flying to pay for it.
My personal circumstances have changed
I now have a 16 month old son. I feel I've pushed my luck, I've been in a couple of icky situations that weren't pleasant, but basically had my fun and survived. I am now more risk averse after his birth.
On top of that going flying, even for an hour, puts far more pressure on my wife as she is now looking after him for a much more longer period of time. Couple that with following the mighty Portsmouth FC and suddenly it's more of an ask on her.
I admit it, pilots aren't the friendliest of people 
I stopped reading this forum after being disgusted with some of the comments people were prepared to post. Some of the things people wrote, about dead pilots, where absolutely revolting and made them subhuman in my eyes.
Let's face it, groups of pilots usually have a higher asshole content than any other group of people I have interacted with. Not exactly a deal breaker but with time & money now more limited I'm not sure I can really be bothered with it anymore.
It's really unreliable as a hobby
Roughly 50% of my booked slots fall through. Usually the weather, but then planes going tech, some guy getting back much later than expected etc all conspire.
Wasn't a problem when I was single, or even had a very accommodating girlfriend, but now I just don't have the flexibility in my life to take it in my stride. "Booking" time out is now just that bit more of an operation.
What's left on offer just isn't interesting to me
Aeros, meh. Maybe but I'm 41 now and my stomach, and digestion in general, is not as resilient as it used to be.
Flying more types? Just seems like hassle. I'd rather go places rather than memorise charts & flight envelopes. Then again it'd be more fun to
drive through France enjoying the people, restaurants and places along the way rather than sitting in a cockpit talking to ATCOs and doing FREDA checks.
Ssssooooo overall I am thinking it may be time to hang up my headset. I had a blast doing it, I loved it, wow I spent a fortune doing it, but really it feels like the fat lady is singing.
Has anybody been in this position before? What did you do? Any other general thoughts?