Lovely post, it's so interesting to hear about other people's work lives!

I agree with you about trying to not give up despite the societal pressures to find a real job with all the included 'benefits'. There's plenty of time for that if you feel the need to do so in the future - even if you find a 'real job' at 50, you'll probably still be working till 70. I think it would be much harder to be a minimalist in that context as well!

Very inspiring :)