Writing a Book

I wouldn't call myself a work-a-holic. I'm not straining myself working, but I have been working seven days a week since July of last year. Financial advisor Monday to Fridays, part-time job on the weekends.

It's been a while since I've been in "summer time" mode. I miss the days of school where in the summer, I wouldn't have a worry in the world. No alarm clocks in the morning, no work to do, no traffic jams, no worries.

The work that I'm doing isn't physically straining, but it's taking a toll on me mentally. I hear about people saying that they grew up too fast, and that they wish they had their youth back. I don't consider myself old, but I do feel that time is whizzing by me fast, and my more recent memories are only of work.

First few years out of high school, I'd stay out late even if I wasn't doing anything, I'd be out into the early hours of the next day just to be out. Now it's hard pressed to find me anywhere outside of my bed past one. Planning my day based on my work schedule, I feel like a fraction of my former self.

I could continue doing what I'm doing, which will pay off later in life, but is it worth it to work hard now and have a better life later in exchange for my youth? Or is it better to slack off now, enjoy the years that I will never get back, and tough it out later when I'm older. Clouded the future is.

Most finance books would tell you to start saving early, it's the basis for accumulating money, which you can enjoy when you retire. But then I talk to people who have done so much during their youths. Stories to tell, memories to recall, lives that have been fully lived. Whenever I hear these stories it feels like a book that I can't put down, I want to become this person and experience what they've experienced. Sure they pay for it later by having to save every penny, but despite all that I've been taught, all that I know I sometimes feel it is worth it to sacrifice the future for the now. I guess this is human nature, procrastination, jealousy, envy it's all due to wanting things now.

It comes down to the burning question, do I want to:



Work hard now, suck it up and live a not so adventurous life and look forward to the day where I can relax and enjoy life.


Or


Trade away my future, enjoy life now because life is too short to worry about what's going to happen later. Live life to the fullest and write my own story.


I already know what the answer is. I didn't go through all that schooling just to throw all my knowledge in the garbage. I'll keep doing what I'm doing, it's the smart thing to do. But while I go day to day, month to month, year to year, working towards retirement, I'll be writing chapters of my book. Even though they won't be very exciting chapters, the best parts to come.