The Pressure
We have three kids, I love my wife, and I’ve been happy for the past 15 years — but I recently lost my job. Since then, we’ve been living off occasional gigs, and the pressure is huge because I’m the breadwinner. Four people depend on me, and right now, I feel stuck. What kind of man can’t support his own family…?
Age
Since I turned 40, my answer is a clear yes. Before that, I couldn’t say I was happy. I struggled at work, chased girls, partied hard, and pushed myself nonstop — but I wasn’t really enjoying life. Now, I’ve calmed down. I don’t want to save the world or be better than anyone else. I’ve learned to appreciate what I’ve achieved.
Needs
I used to chase everything I thought was necessary for happiness, but I realized it doesn’t take much. I gave up an expensive apartment in the capital and bought a small house in the countryside, which I’m now renovating with my own hands. As an IT specialist, I work remotely, left the corporate grind, and escaped the stress. Every day, I spend some time at the computer, then I go out to weed the garden, build kitchen furniture, plaster, and drill around the house. Hands-on work feels like therapy — I’m happier than ever.
Alone
No, but I’ve accepted my fate that it will stay this way. No better job, no more money, no girlfriend. I’m lonely, but I’ve gotten used to it and stopped fighting it. I go to work, come home, sit in front of my game console, and start over the next day. The weekend is different only because I have a few beers. This is what I got, and I’ve made peace with it.
A Joyful Goodbye
Since my divorce, I can honestly say I’m happy. I feel like I’ve been reborn.
Haha
Is there even a happy man these days? I get together with my buddies once a month, and we talk about how the kids are cute but exhausting, the wives always nag us about something, work sucks, and we’re just getting older. When we were young, we had big plans — now we’re all stuck in the same boring daily grind. Our highlight is getting drunk together once a month.
The Girl
Two years ago, I found the love of my life, and I’m happy. Meeting her felt like finding my other half.
The Bachelor
I’m the only one among my friends who never married or had kids, and honestly, I’m way happier than they are. Financially, I’m fine — I only spend on myself, so I don’t have to work myself to death. I spend on what I want, no wife nagging me about wasting money. Sometimes I have a girlfriend, sometimes I don’t — I don’t stress about having to be with someone. There’s no pressure. All my friends envy me and say I was the smartest for doing it this way.
No.
My wife left me, and since then, I’ve been as alone as a finger. I realized she was the one holding everything together: organizing family and friend gatherings, trips, and plans. Without her, I’m lost.
Changing
I often miss my happy bachelor days, when I had a six-pack, picked up any girl I wanted, and had no worries. Now, my reality is working myself to the bone for my family, but when I look at my kids, I feel a happiness that’s hard to describe. Sometimes I wonder if I’d do it all the same if I could start over — and the answer is a firm no.
