Living Small Can Lead to A Well and Anxiety Free Life Updated 2026: The American Dream many of us grew up with was an idealized road map of education leading to secure jobs, a big house, a standard family unit, leading to retirement in a sunny state. Well... that's been blown away by the reality of changing economics, failing social safety nets, and unexpected family care burdens, to name a few. On top of that, the world population is increasing at about 250,000 (not a typo)