I am thankful for the ability to work and to have employment. True, there are days I wish I was home doing nothing, but being able to work makes me one of the lucky ones in life. There are some on unemployment and there are some who cannot work. There are days I wish I was independently wealthy because my energy levels are so depleted from working at the two jobs I have. When things get tough, I try to remind myself that without my jobs I wouldn’t be able to pay my bills, save some, travel, and buy things I need (and on occasion, buy things I want). I also remind myself of those who are struggling just to pay for bare necessities or medication. I have been blessed to be able to work and not want for work. If there was a gap in my employment, it was because I was in school (so it was kind of a choice). My jobs aren’t always easy and I face many challenges and difficulties but I often try to ground myself by “keeping my eye on the prize”.
Along with all the stuff I listed, I always try to remind myself that my jobs help fund my travel and adventures. I certainly wouldn’t be able to experience what life has to offer without some form of employment! I’m thankful I don’t have to miss out on all the fun! The best advice I’ve gotten from patients I work with is that travel should be done while I’m young. The way they put it is this: when you’re young, you can see and do more because you have the ability to go around. Some of them have even expressed regret over not doing more when they were younger because although they may have gotten to travel to far off places, they weren’t able to walk around as much as if they were younger. You can also take more in and truly appreciate it in a different way. This is why although the budget, time, and energy may not always be “through the roof”, I make one heck of an effort trying to do as much as I can. It also helps that I do not currently have my own family as of yet, so I have a bit more freedom to explore!
Another anecdote a patient of mine told me: “Have you seen an armored truck follow a funeral procession? You can’t take ALL your money with you when you die, so you might as well enjoy some of it while you’re still alive!” I took this to heart and with a grain of salt and saw the truth in it. Yes, I am still cautious always looking to the future and saving for retirement (if I ever get there), but I am also making sure that I enjoy SOME of what I worked so hard for. Too many times have I worked worked worked only to not have had the privilege of travelling to Europe or Alaska or Hawaii or even California! So now I am trying to salvage some of my youth and I am trying my darndest to experience what I can.
Take home message: in some way or another, make sure you scrounge up your change and start enjoying why you work so hard. Make cutting out a latte a week or cutting down little by little on the impulse buys – it all adds up! Perhaps setting up a “FUN” budget and depositing small amounts will help – and when you see how it grows, you’ll have a sense of accomplishment and be quite proud of yourself.
Any other tips to share with everyone on how YOU were able to take the trip of your dreams? I’d love to hear it!
XOXOXOXO,
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