I use Bevel to track things like recovery and health statistics, and I recently looked at my 6-month overall non-exercise stress levels. The arrow is when Adam got laid off, the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend (the subsequent peak is the 10-hour drive to L.A. at Christmas, haha). It confirms my subjective perception that having a non-working spouse significantly reduces stress! Especially given that I am required to be in the office four days a week, having someone to do basic things like walking the dogs, making dinner, and running errands during the day – not to mention larger tasks like project-managing getting our shower re-tiled and re-plumbed – is a huge relief.

I expect that my 50s will be my peak earning years, so being able to dedicate my non-leisure time 100% to work is good for both of us. It underscores the wisdom of California’s marital property laws, which flow from the principle that a non-working spouse contributes just as much to the earnings of a household as a working spouse. Adam is not ready to retire and is actively looking for a new job, but I will enjoy it as much as I can in the meantime!