Most self-employed freelancers, entrepreneurs and business owners have been taught that their goal is to always generate more income. But in truth, there is just so much more to life than money. As a matter of fact, things shift (your energy, your interests and this world), so if money is the only measuring stick that we use, we are definitely in for a rough ride on this planet. As a self-employed freelance writer, I worked extremely hard in my 20s and 30s. Now my focus is on having fun, experiencing joy and spending time with people that I love. That’s why I regularly have overseas trips with my family and friends nowadays.
- Overseas trips fill up my emotional tank.
Now writing has become a part of my lifestyle, so it doesn’t feel like work anymore. Indeed, I used to write 10,000 words a day when I was younger, but these days I only need to write a few hundred words a day most of the time because I’m currently at a new stage in my life. Therefore, I can bring my laptop with me while traveling the world – I visit places of interest in the daytime and write an article at night almost every day.
Interestingly, my trips have given me more inspiration and new ideas for my articles, so in a way, I’ve found work/life integration rather than work/life balance now. I don’t focus on work/life balance because I believe work/life integration is more important and more practical.
After I turned 40 years of age, I have started to plan my life around joy and fun before anything else. When I was younger, I worked a lot. Now I know certain things are much more important than money, e.g., creativity, connection, love and exploration.
- What makes you happy?
My question for you: What brings you joy? Make a list of activities that make you happy. Do at least one activity on the list every day!
Here is my friend Jan’s list:
- Singing
- Dancing
- Reading books
- Going to the movies
- Attending high tea parties with friends
- Overseas trips
- Going to concerts
- Staycations
- Beach walks
“When I had a tough year in 2008, my mentor asked me to learn a new song each day and go to the gym every morning,” says Jan, “I did exactly that, and I felt so much better.”
Now Jan would like to proactively focus on happiness.
“For people who have worked very, very hard for years, this article is the ultimate truth time.”
