They say the best things in life are free. But nothing is actually free, because to enjoy the “free” things, you first need food, clean water, shelter, medicine, and other basics. We have to sustain ourselves first, usually through work.

Once those needs are met, we realize that the so-called “free” things, like love, aren’t really free either. Love will cost you, because for one thing, people aren’t always lovable. You’ll have to put up with some crap.

The best things in life aren’t free, but they’re still the best things, and they have nothing to do with owning more stuff or making it to the top of the ladder.