Question of the Day: What is something you like the idea of more than you actually like?

October 6, 2025

What is something you like the idea of more than you actually like?

Here’s the thing: I love the idea of pets. The image of it is perfect, two cats lazily stretched out in the sun, curling up at night, adding warmth and companionship to the home. On paper, it sounds like the perfect addition to family life.

But here’s the reality: I’ve got two cats and three kids. And let me tell you, pets can be tougher than kids.

Kids grow up. At some point, they start to dress themselves, feed themselves, and eventually (hopefully) clean up after themselves. Pets? They stay locked in permanent toddler mode. The cats will never feed themselves on schedule, or stop making messes in places you just cleaned, or stop demanding attention right when you finally sit down.

There’s cat vomit to discover first thing in the morning, endless hair to vacuum up, and the occasional middle-of-the-night yowling concert, because why should anyone sleep when the cat feels like practicing opera? Add this to the regular chaos of three children, and suddenly the “placid island of ignorance” Lovecraft wrote about feels like a vacation destination.

And yet… I still like the idea of pets. The companionship, the warmth, the way they remind you that sometimes just being is enough. But in practice? They’re work. Relentless, unending, messy work.

Maybe that’s the point of today’s question: we all have things we like more in theory than in reality. Camping. Yoga. Meal prepping. Hosting dinner parties. They sound fun until you’re in the middle of them, wondering what you got yourself into.

But admitting that gap, the space between the fantasy and the reality, can be freeing. It lets you enjoy the parts you truly love without guilting yourself for not loving every detail. I may not always love the reality of pets, but I can still appreciate the comfort they bring when they decide to curl up next to me at the end of a long day.

👉 Read the full blog post where I answer this Question of the Day and share the Thought of the Day

🎯 Browse the full Question of the Day archive here →

✉️ Get Daily Questions and Thoughts Sent to You

Take a minute a day to reflect, think, and maybe even smile.

Join our free daily email.

👉 Sign up here.

💬 Your Turn

So… what’s something you like the idea of more than the reality?

Share your answer in the comments or on social—your weird little truth might be someone else’s comfort zone.