Wow, that was one long paragraph... but from what I can gather...
You are currently in a high pressure, very high profile, very technical, hands-on, position and feel overwhelmed. You missed your previous low pressure, hands-off, but you were highly regarded position. So you now found another low pressure position, but don't know if
you should take it as your friends and family will know that you couldn't take the pressure. Right?
I can't answer what you should do, but I can say this. My friends and family wouldn't think any less of me, if I quit my current job and spent a year beachcombing. Heck my wife would probably be my assistant...
Henry