Hey!

 

This past week I ran across someone on Twitter asking if it isn’t torture to dream of a life outside of labor.

 

I responded…for me, these days, no. It isn’t. But there was a time when it was hard.

 

I have a selfie I took at my Last Job. I was 10 years younger than I am now, but my eyes have so much less light. Back then, hoping was difficult…even torture. Sometimes keeping it up felt impossible; but it was critical in getting through.

 

I think that’s even truer with everything going on these days. But I think a lot depends on how our hope works.

 

Part of the reason I kept it up and found my solution (besides a bunch of prayer, support from the right people, and patience) is that I didn’t dream of a job...but I also didn't just dream of vague ideas like “traveling the world” or “doing what I want all day.”

 

I was specific. I wanted location independent work that was low stress and allowed me to earn more while working less.

 

I was also realistic. I followed people who’d done what I wanted to do to shift the place paid work held in their lives. I also allowed their experiences to partially influence my expectations. (Side note: this is one of the most important reasons to be active in a freelance community.)

 

I think a lot of us get tripped up and disappointed by getting invested in a hope that defies reality…and that’s a shame. Because we end up missing all the opportunity for better that’s sitting right in front of us.  

 

 

 

Megan