Before making any major career decision you need to have a strategy that you believe will get you to where you need to be. Spontaneity is great, and has it's place as a survival mechanism to help you out of a rut, especially if there are very heavy emotional issues involved. If this was the case, then you probably had no choice but to leave, but now, because of the economic climate, you have to work your ass off to get back on top.
In a bad economy, one of the best investments you can make is education. Consider making yourself more employable by taking up a course or exploring alternate career options, even if it is just to tide you over till you get where you need/want to be with your Engineering career.