I want to take voluntary redundancy – but is it wise?

Every week a Guardian Money reader submits a question, and it's up to you to help him or her out – a selection of the best answers will appear in next Saturday's paper. This week's question I'm a 55-year-old who wants to take voluntary redundancy from a boring job. It'll mean a big income fall, but my wife and I can manage that (the kids have gone). Can anyone reassure me I'm doing the right thing? The freedom will be great. Any downsides I've not considered? What do you think?