$1k Blog

One thing that I recently found myself doing is writing non-stop whenever I was awake and not helping my girlfriend. This is a great way to make some extra money and improve my skills as a writer, yes - but it’s also a terrific way to burn out faster than a candle doused in kerosene. The sad truth is, money is useless to you unless you set aside some time to enjoy it.

Now, I’m not suggesting you spend your first paycheck on a lavish party that will impress your friends and leave you penniless and broke until the next writing contract. However, I am suggesting that no matter how little money you earn, take a portion of it and spend it on yourself. What exactly you do with it is up to you and depends in large on how much you were paid in the first place - for example, I’m probably taking my girlfriend out to celebrate March 8 (we’re both from Eastern Europe, so we still celebrate the International Women’s Day). It doesn’t matter how exactly you spend your money - the point is to spend it in such a way that will bring you enjoyment.

Obviously, the vast portion of your income should be allocated to whatever expenses you need to cover, now or in the future. In my case, for example, most of the writing income will be set aside for the future to cover my tuition fees, while another significant part of it will be used to cover monthly bills.  However, always remember that unless you’re spending something on yourself (or your significant other), then you won’t get nearly as much enjoyment out of earning money as you normally would.

So stop being greedy and take yourself out for a treat. Go on, you deserve it.