Hey,

“When you find the one, you’ll know it. You’ll just feel it!”

Houses, houses, houses.

I’m waiting to feel the one. That magical glowing feeling of “This is it — this is the place I have to be.”

But I’m 13 viewings down and I’m nowhere closer to that feeling.

I’ve got two theories:

1. I’ll feel it at some point.

2. I’ll never feel an overwhelming, overriding desire for a house.

My money is on Theory 2. I think this is because I view the decision to buy a house as, primarily, an economic matter. I don’t imagine I’ll ever make a larger commitment (in size or duration) than this. Of all the times to take a rational approach, this must surely be it.

This is a deeply practical, rational, economic act. The decision has to make financial sense and not come at an untenable cost to my lifestyle or finances. A house that I love but would bankrupt me or harm my quality of life is not something to be loved.

I want it to feel good and right and joyous, of course, but there’s a definite hierarchy of needs here. Security, value for money, balance. Then something a bit more sparkly and squishy can come into play.

Or… I could have it wrong.

If you’re one of the lucky few to own a home, did you find “the one”? Did your decision-making profile change with the scale of a house purchase? Or is there genuinely something to be said for the soft, feely side of things?

A lot questions. It feels like that’s all I’ve got at the moment, questions on questions as I try to get closer to answers but just find more questions. The long path towards certainty is feeling a bit like a tunnel of uncertainty, right now. Cruel, cruel irony!

Slow down guide

Need a little help moving slower?

Ease your way out of Friday afternoon with this newsletter, a nice cup of something, and a little background music. Steal my setup if you aren't sure where to start.

After I press send, I’ll be heading into Exeter for a haircut. A genuine treat, as I love my barber (hey Jake!), but, on the surface, it's got nothing to do with coffee… and this is where I usually recommend you one. A few doors up the road from the barbershop, however, sits Crankhouse Coffee. If you’ve been here for a while, you’ll have seen that name plenty of times already. I’ve no idea what I’ll be getting, but I know it’ll be delicious and that you can get something equally lovely if you’re in need of some new beans.

16 Riders by Sun June should fit the bill. The vocals are as beautiful as ever, there’s a layer of haze over their usual jangly slacker sound, and it all comes together so pleasantly. Nothing more needs saying, does it?

Take it easy,