Gratitude in crisis

It’s interesting how with the prospect of a potential return to fulltime 9-5, I’m now actually feeling very grateful very frequently—almost multiple times daily—to be able to work from home, spend time with my son, wife and elderly parents, and do all the little things I get to do with them.

Not that I don’t work as much anymore. I still put in long hours. I sometimes still struggle to find that balance between family and work. I always wished I worked less, despite enjoying my work.

The time and effort isn’t much different from before this money crisis happened.

But the frame of mind, the daily perspective, couldn’t be more different.

I’m grateful for being able to wake up early to work on my projects, to write.
I’m grateful to be able to hand carry my son to school everyday.
I’m grateful that my son is at an age when he still wants me to carry him, hug him, kiss him.
I’m grateful for being able to have morning breakfast with my wife.
I’m grateful for being able to have family naps together in the afternoon.
I’m grateful to see my elderly parents still healthy and mobile, playing with their grandson.
I’m grateful for the comfort of my home office.
I’m grateful for indie hacking, the freedom it promises, the joy it gives me when building.
I’m grateful for the supportive community I’ve built up on Twitter.
I’m grateful for… EVERYTHING.

We often don’t treasure something as much until it’s taken away. Or in this case, when the prospect of it being taken away looms large and real.

I hope I can maintain this mindset even after the money situation gets better, when the loss of this lifestyle is not a real probability.

Because it’s a beautiful, satisfying, joyful way to live.