In fact, I have had a dream of having my own space since I got married.

No matter what anyone says, a man needs his own space.

This is not just for hobbies or play.

It is literally a mental refuge, a place to temporarily throw off stress, and a space where my inner 'boyish sensitivity' can breathe again.

Isn't that exactly what a 'Man Cave' is?

These days, my longing for a Man Cave is growing stronger.

Amidst various pressures, the thought of needing my own retreat has become more intense.

That word suddenly flashed in my mind like lightning.

"Man Cave."

The Instinct of Men's Space Since Primitive Times

When I think about it, the Man Cave is close to the instinct that started in primitive caves.

It was the moment when men, after hunting, slightly distanced themselves from the group and sat around a campfire in a cave to catch their breath.

Before setting off again for their families, they needed a brief recovery time.

If you think that this led to the modern Man Cave, it makes sense.

Times have changed, but the fatigue of men remains, and the way to relieve it is still through a personal space.

According to a survey in the U.S. (Joybird), over 65% of men want a Man Cave.

It is not just a space with a TV and a sofa, but a "personal refuge" where they can express their identity and relieve stress.

Traditionally, it involved converting a basement or a corner of the garage into a space with a pool table, bar, and sound system, but nowadays it is evolving in a much more sophisticated way.

From LED lighting, smart TV systems, to themed designs tailored to hobbies.

In other words, modern caves are being born.

I have finally made up my mind.

I will renovate the garage to create my very own Man Cave.

The Man Cave I Dream Of

First, I want a tool organizer. Right now, screws, screwdrivers, and tools are scattered everywhere, and I have a desire to organize them neatly. No matter how much of a Man Cave it is, a tidy chaos is necessary. Looking at a well-organized wall-mounted tool organizer already makes me feel like a craftsman.

The second is a spacious sofa. The living room sofa is always the territory of the kids. My wife is also the queen who commands the remote control. I dream of throwing myself onto my own sofa, stretching my legs, and monopolizing the remote control.

The third is a space for my electric bike. I have been struggling to find a place to wash it after riding every weekend, but if it has a designated spot in this space, it will be perfect. The charger will fit right on the wall!

And above all, a pinball machine. Every time the lights flash and the 'ding ding ding' sound rings, nostalgia from the local arcade in my childhood floods back. I enjoy that feeling more than the game itself. My wife says it's 'a waste of time,' but this is an investment in a man's emotions.

Lastly, of course, a refrigerator filled with beer. After a long day, I want to grab one, sit on the sofa, and play a round of pinball or watch a Netflix show. This is the true healing for a man in his 40s.

Of course, I can't complete it all at once.

I'm currently looking for a decent sofa on second-hand sites, and next will be the refrigerator, smart TV and speakers, an electric bike charging station, and if I have the budget, a second-hand pinball machine.

Sometimes someone says,

"What are you making that space for?" "With that money, you could go on a family trip."

But the Man Cave is not an escape; it is a charging station.

It is a place needed to get along better with family, to endure longer at work, and to return to 'myself' again.

Today, after work, I open the garage door and start by cleaning the floor.

With a hammer in hand, music playing, I slowly envision my space.

This is the dream, recovery, and perhaps the most realistic dream of a man in his 40s.