Skarpi,
A few years back I had the same epiphany. I dumped my life in NYC and moved to a simpler one in Maine. My family thought I had lost my mind. They still wait for me to move back screaming with boredom.

At some point we know what is important to us. One day, the Broadway openings and first run movies, the "in" restaurants and latest design trend just didn't matter. Once in a while I pick up the Sunday Times and look at the Arts and Leisure section. It was fun to be invited back stage at the newest play but not nearly as satisfying as falling asleep in my own little house with the door unlocked because I again forgot to lock it. A far cry from iron gated windows and baseball bats strategically placed around the house.

I don't have a lot of money but my home is safe, there is food on the table and I really need nothing. If I ever bought a Lottery ticket and won, I would probably give most of it away and keep what I needed to live comfortably. The responsibility of a lot of money has no appeal.

This past winter, three storms each damaged my house and caused ridiculous expenses. A few months later, it is all dealt with and done - hardly worth the tears and agida wasted on it.

You're right. You don't have to look far to see families left homeless by wars and disasters. Priorities!

You have nothing to regret. Life is a learning experience. Now profit from what you have learned.