Thanks everyone for your advice and your help
Jamesgrainge, I was an academic before, physicist. I have been considering getting a job for a while and pursuing aviation at a slower pace. I know I would miss the opportunity to ever become a pilot if I just quit without looking back, but the lack of social life and just any distraction on the side is maddening to me. So modular might well be the answer, so would be the opportunity to get back a study/work/life balance.
Once again, thanks everyone