Thank you for writing this and doing so in a way that is persuasive using real life experience and not canned benchmarks. You're actually changing my mind about picking up an M1 MacBook Pro to replace my late 2016 MPB.

I primarily use it for editing video and music production, and I primarily do those things in my office, with dongle spaghetti going to external drives, keyboard, capture card, and 4K monitor anyway...

I think getting the Mini is the right call!