This is an interesting article, though I sense a complex mixture of regret, rationalization, and hurt pride that makes me wonder whether the author shouldn't ju

This is an interesting article, though I sense a complex mixture of regret, rationalization, and hurt pride that makes me wonder whether the author shouldn't just have taken the software developer job in Stockholm. It doesn't read like the author was making deliberate life choices. That part of it resonates well with me since I also didn't really set a clear goal for myself and instead took one university job after another, and now I'm 51 and relatively poor, too. Contrary to the author, who seems to be yet undecided, I believe that was a mistake and I'm seeking to correct it. What I'm missing in this article and in many of the comments is the #1 reason for working: Being able to afford a decent life style. That is the main reason why most people work. They do it for money, so they don't have to worry about issues like rent & bills and can buy nice things and afford holidays. It's neither for vocation nor because it gives them status and class, they really just want the money. Being poor is bad because everything in our society revolves around money. As German musician Rio Reiser wrote: Money doesn't make you happy, it just calms your nerves.