The attachments to our perceived responsibilities and obligations are often burdensome. Leaving for a year or a few months will help you realize how much you do not miss those things or even have to worry about them.
I am about to leave for 6 months and have been donating much of the stuff I don't use. I am looking forward to my return, and realizing I don't need so much more of the material things.
What I am looking forward to is realizing what personal relationships I do want to stay attached to, and how easy it will be with those people and communities to pick up where we left off.