| Another anecdote. Me, my wife, and our two kids recently moved. Previously we lived in a large house that looked “special” — old but in good shape. Lots of wood and 4m ceilings. That was a rented place. By chance we found a house smaller and not special at all — a mass-produced townhouse, basically — that we were able to afford buying. For a few us-specific reasons we really wanted to buy a house instead of rent it, so we went ahead. I was a bit scared that it would be a let-down. A downgrade. The house would be less special. I would feel less special. I was certain I would regret it, but it made sense for the family. The opposite happened. It’s a much nicer experience. The house feels more cozy and more modern. The kids have suddenly lost all problems sleeping in their rooms by themselves. They go play in their rooms. They never did that in the previous house. And being a townhouse, there’s a bunch of similar families around — suddenly the kids have friends. I work remotely so there’s not a huge difference work-wise. But I’m much happier and more relaxed knowing the kids are happier and more relaxed. |