Keith Devens .com

You haven't finished the article yet, have you?

I've just read the first few paragraphs.

If I were you, I wouldn't plan on relaxing while reading it.

I found this article to correspond VERY closely to my reality! I "quit the paint factory" 3 years ago to go to grad school - and it's fantastic. I now, for the first time since entering the workforce a decade prior, sleep a reasonable amount. The 9 hours I get a night has made me a much happier person. Also - and without trying or depriving myself of food, I'm down to a size 2 (I think it all has to do with that recent body of research about the hunger hormone, plus the luxury of having time to do pilates in my livingroom). My "leisure" time now has to consist of things that are free - and it's amazing how many fun, free things there are to do. I must admit that my friends are utterly perplexed as to why I can't join them for $10 martinis, but I don't miss it. I think if more people quit the paint factory, we would have a happier, healthier society. And more engaged in civic life as Slouka suggests (another benefit Slouka discusses!). Don't write him off so fast!
I must also admit that student/"poverty" is MUCH easier for me than others since I own a home that was (almost) paid off when I returned to school, and I have no human dependants - only a canine one.