'I’m sure plenty of people would find that pathetic, but I honestly don’t care’: 31-year-old man realizes the traditional life he envisioned isn’t really what he wants, and there’s no point in buying a house just for the sake of building equity

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Olivia Arocena • Writer and Editor
Aug 25, 2026 11:15 AM EDT

Questioning Life Paths In Your Thirties

There comes a time in everyone's life when we can't help but question the path society expects us to follow.

Sometimes we question it and realize our desires differ from the ones society imposes on us, and we have to confront the fact that our path might look different from other people's.

In theory, all that sounds wonderful, but if we decide to live a life different from what was expected of us, we're met with a lot of resistance from the environment and sometimes, even from ourselves.

The fact that this person posted his decision on Reddit with so much peace shows me that he is about to live a life full of freedom and enjoyment, and that he is breaking free from expectations that didn't come from him or his family.

Luckily, in this day and age, there are lots of alternative paths you can explore without being judged, and in my opinion, this is one of the best eras to be different.

Once you make the decision, you tend to meet other people who think like you and realize there were always so many options available that you didn't know about. Some people say that's when 'the net appears'.

To me, it's never too late to live a life that we're proud of and march to the beat of our own drum. If we're not doing that, who are we trying to please, really?

This Redditor got this off his chest, and it got me thinking: am I living for myself? Honestly, I'm inspired.

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  • Societal pressure

    Cheezburger Image 10658554880
    via Foto Phanatic

    The traditional family everyone is supposed to want 

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story

  • Realizing that the traditional goals I once had don’t apply to me anymore

    I'm a 31M. After college I lived alone for 2 years, paying about $2k/month in rent in the city. Then my job went full remote and I moved home with my mom, paying her $500/month which is half of her mortgage.
    via Sea-Difference5343
  • Over the past 6 years I've saved and invested a lot. I set aside a nest egg for a house down payment. I'm now realizing I don't want a house. My mom and I get along great. Someday this house will be mine
    via Sea-Difference5343
  • anyways, so I don't need to get myself up in a $2,500/month mortgage payment at 6% interest just to say I live alone. I've never been successful at dating and don't really have a desire for a family
    via Sea-Difference5343
  • of my own anymore, so there really isn't a good reason for me to buy a house other than building equity. It would be a significant time sink that I could otherwise spend helping my mom improve
    via Sea-Difference5343
  • Cheezburger Image 10658557440
    via Christian Velitchkov

    'Doing everything right'

    Image shown for illustrative purposes; person depicted is a model

  • our house and enjoying my hobbies. I'll use the money I did save to further invest in VTI and let it chill. When I was younger I envisioned the classic wife and 2 kids with a house.
    via Sea-Difference5343
  • Now that I'm completely burned out from trying to date and continue to enjoy my situation at home, I think I'm content just staying where I'm at. I'm sure plenty of people would find that pathetic, but I honestly don't care.
    via Sea-Difference5343
  • Cheezburger Image 10658557696
    via Towfiqu barbhuiya

    The pleasure of investing wherever you want

    Image for illustrative purposes
     

  • Ok-Feature2215 Happy for you, same with me. I'm 22 but I also think those type of family is out of my reach, I'm still young but I dont think I can ever be in a relationship when i've never been in one, but content with my life. Comsi comsa
    via Ok-Feature2215
  • Old-Pea-1881 There's nothing pathetic about choosing a life that genuinely makes you happy instead of chasing milestones just because society says you should.
    via Old-Pea-1881
  • LibertyCash There's nothing pathetic about living your best life, friend. Plus you are most def NOT alone in living in a multigeneration setup. Real estate market is a jungle out there..
    via LibertyCash

  • What do you think, is this kind of approach to life a product of new economic and political values? Or was it always an option?

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