Almost 2 months ago I left my job for another that paid slightly less.

Can't belive I am saying this but I love my new job.

Taking a paycut for a job that you like is not new nor surprising. People end up doing that at some point in their career

Life’s too short to not find a job you love, man. Good for you!

Yep, I learnt long ago that money does not buy happiness. Its why I left my last job, the expectation of working 24/7 on a project going nowhere because the director changes his mind every 5 seconds, refuses to put down a spec and disagrees with every estimate everyone gives.