Slight Detour....When to Call It

I have worked remotely in the human resources field for almost 10 years. I did some hybrid work prior to that in my first HR role, and my supervisors and managers at work have always shown trust in my ability to get things done, and that has extended to my remote roles. I've worked my way up in my current role, starting as an HR Assistant/Coordinator in 2017 and currently the HR Director for a 100% virtual team. 

The CEO that hired me sold the company and it was transferred to new leadership in March of this year. What a whirlwind that has been! I've never experienced an acquisition, although I have gone through my fair share of leadership changeovers. I had a great working relationship with my previous boss. He was not a micromanager, he allowed me to utilize my strengths and make judgment calls as needed. We're playing a whole new ball game since March, though, friends. And I don't want to play anymore. 

So here I am at this unique crossroads as a 40-year-old woman. Do I stay in the field I've been in for 20 years or do I spend the next 20 years doing something I've always wanted to do? 

I am leaning towards the latter option. But, I have to jump over several hurdles to get there. The first, applying to and getting accepted to a credential program in social sciences - done! The second, passing the CSET in social science (three sections) - two sections, done! Waiting to hear back on results from the third (which I happened to take while on a liquid diet one day before surgery). 

I feel like it's been time to call it quits since last August. And now I kick myself for not accepting a job offer at that time that would have put me in a very different position right now. In the meantime, I have to try to stick it out at my current job in order to pay the bills, all while knowing that this is not the type of leader I want to work with long-term, and waiting to see what doors open or close in the next few months. 

Have you ever been in a workplace situation where you knew it was time to leave, but circumstances (i.e. needing to pay bills) just weren't allowing you to do so? How did you cope?