Today I am at the office, wrapping up some things before I go on a two week vacation. Sometimes it still seems surreal that I work at a job where I can just take time off and do so without risking homelessness. In my ambition to do more, be better, become financially independent I often don’t appreciate how hard I worked to get where I am now.
And sure, there were some costs — I don’t count my marriage, as that was failing long before I started graduate school in 2010, but I still have far, far too much student loan debt and I tanked my potential writing career just as it was taking off in 2012 in order to finish grad school and find “a real job”.
But here we are: I do have “a real job” and my own office and vacation time and even a retirement savings. It feels surreal.
I was pondering this all yesterday as I sat on the front porch again, because it was another gorgeous and slightly cool afternoon. I brought Keely out too, and she enjoyed staring at me as I ate my food and silently judging our neighbors for not stopping to pet her:
You can see a hint of liquid gold sunlight there in the drive, but trust me, it was super pretty out!
That continued into this morning, which was a standard walk around the pond, but despite being pleasantly cool and clear there weren’t too many other regulars out. I’m trying to grab enjoyment of nice weather while I can!