That's a sad tale and I feel for you. I can see why you'd want a change but I'm not sure about the physics degree. All the people I know who have Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Electronics degrees are working in IT now! We have a guy in our department who has a Doctorate in Chemistry! He couldn't get work and took up Unix administration.

If there's something you are already good at and still like doing it I'd stick it out. The only problem is getting that recognised. From what you said in the other post about the kind of work you do it's obvious you know what you are doing (not enough people understand the importance of security IMHO) and that's the hard part done! Plenty of people are great at selling themselves and 'networking' but haven't got the goods.

I don't work in the creative industry so I don't really know what it's like or how to get on but somebody might give you the right advice... I once tried to make it as a photographer so I've got an idea of how tough it might be but I never had the drive or the balls to go for it properly so I can't say.

It took me 6 years after graduating before I got a decent job in IT last year. But that's mainly because I didn't have an IT related degree or any useful skills. I started with data entry and worked my way up from there. I had to teach myself Unix and Oracle in my spare time and that's what got me a job in Storage for a large bank.

Don't give up on a career in Web Development if you want one. Just stay clear of big companies if you don't like the whole HR coven of witches scene. You may well have thought about this but what about doing something for a company or individual for free in your spare time? It might lead somewhere unexpected.

Anyway, good luck with it!