I gave up beekeeping in 1992-3 when the first wave of Varroa+DWV swept through and destroyed all my colonies. Luckily, I kept the smoker and suit, because by 1995 I was itching to try again, and when a neighbor gave me a swarm call I was duct-taping a cardboard box to serve as a temporary nuc.
So yup, I know that losing colonies is dispirtiting and walking away helps with the pain.
Just now, I have a developed a systemic reaction, and am struggling with giving up beekeeping to avoid life-threatening complications. This is even more frustrating than the Varroa plague, because, just when I have really mastered the craft, I get stung with this unexpected issue.
I worked in a Bio department bee lab in college (73--76) and as a recent graduate without a home or a place to keep a colony, I would stand in front of blooming shrubs and commune with the foragers, dreaming of my own hive.
So yes, by all means, take a break, let the lessons settle, and know that in our long lives we will come back to the keepers role when the time is right and we are filled with hope and optimism. I think every break I had made me a better keeper. ----But always keep your veil and your smoker-- you never know when you'll need to dust them off.