Tuesday marked what will probably be my last day off until September 25th.
Maybe that sounds dramatic — especially for someone who purports to be "self-employed" — but what that functionally means is that we have started the "summer season" here in our little seaside town... and summer means visitors... by the tens of thousands.
So I took a day to simply listen to nature; breeze; leaves rustling; birdsong.
Midsummer bird, at the top of our tree...
Tourist Season is Upon Us!
Mrs. Denmarkguy and I have — among our many other ventures — a small art and gift gallery here, and summer season means we go to being open seven days a week.
Since we don't have employees, that means we're there every day.
It actually means I am there every day, but since she has the most viable "Job no. 2" she is there whenever she doesn't have counseling clients.
The bright colors of summer...
Meanwhile, I still have two eBay businesses to keep up with, as well. And creating art. Oh, and Steemit.
"But why do you work so much, if you're self-employed? I thought the whole point was to not be a wage slave?"
Yeah, well... the thing most people fail to understand about working for yourself is that you still have to do the work, you just have more freedom, and (hopefully!) you're doing something more meaningful than selling your soul to some faceless corporation for a handful of change.
We work "that much" because that's what's required to avoid having to throw in the towel and going back to Korporate Amerika.
Summer is the best of times, and the worst of times, all rolled into one. The best, because we finally get to make some "real money," and the worst because we — in essence — end up having no time for ourselves.
Life... and it's Trade Offs
As I used my last day off to mostly sit and let my brain go slack, I thought about how most of life involves some kind of trade-off.
Most of the snow on the mountains has melted by now...
No matter what you do, there is a "cost" of some sort. Even not-doing involves the "opportunity cost" of something not happening.
"Choices have consequences."
The thing we have to do, is make sure we are happy with the consequences of our choices.
The view from my "Zen spot" in the back yard
On the whole, I can say that I feel pretty blessed... even if everything hasn't turned out exactly as I had hoped. Working on a post about that, for later.
Oddly enough, this actually means I will have more time for Steemit again, as I will have more little "spaces in between" for writing and curating. Hidden bonus!
Can you say that you feel blessed as a result of your choices? Or do you have regrets?
I suppose it's inevitable that most of us have some of each. Whereas I may moan and groan about certain things, I have far more check marks on the plus side, than on the minus side.
How about YOU? How's your summer shaping up? Is summer for extra work, for relaxing, or makes no difference? Are you among the ranks of the self-employed? Have you ever worked in a tourist area where you were dependent on making the most of a short season? Leave a comment-- share your experiences-- be part of the conversation!
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Created at 180628 20:40 PDT
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that is a great queto
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Glad you took your "last"day to relax and reflect at @denmarkguy.
I don't have regrets because I consider it to be a total waste of energy. But, sometimes I wonder what would have happened it I've made different choices with regard to work. that is the one area in which I can say I feel dissatisfied.
I've spent very little of my life earning money from doing stuff I enjoyed although I have been fortunate not to have to stay at jobs I really didn't like.
Summer makes no difference to me and, in some ways, brings some extra pressure. I feel it should be out there enjoying myself more rather than sitting in front of a computer screen.
When I was away I found this to be true too and thoroughly enjoyed it. Even though I have more time now, potentially, for Steemit I am far less efficient and get less done than I did when I was away.
Wishing you many "little spaces in between" and a super prosperous season. 💙
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I can relate to the "self employed" thing...my line of work forces me to work crazy hours from January through end of April...and as a small office owner...just one other employee...I can never fully get away even after my busy time...These days there's no such thing as totally getting "away"....Even when I am "away"...I'm on call...Unfortunately...the new 24?7 economy leaves you always "available"...
Plus...the bills have to get paid...I don't get paid sick days or vacations...so...my efforts matter every day...regardless...I do my best to find some balance...in all...I do like not having to answer to superiors...although...my clients and the government are always in my scope...and its hard being the only decision maker especially as I get older....so I do my best each day...enjoy the small moments when I can sneak away...read a book...take a walk...post on Steemit...and dream of a day when I can shut the phone off and truly "be away"....
Good luck with your summer season....
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