[28/30] A Reminder
Of why I want to own my time
It’s 2:00 a.m. Everyone’s asleep.
I am in the room, on the bed. I have a cup of tea next to me. It's just peppermint. I still do plan on sleeping tonight, so I can't have any caffeine.
With my laptop open in front of me, I am putting the finishing touches of this article for my newsletter that goes out tomorrow. I should have done this four days ago but time got away from me.
But honestly, why am I even doing this?
I mean, I am don't make any money out of it. My company thinks I am wasting my time with LinkedIn because "Australia is all about who you know personally not online".
I may have people reading my work but missing a week wouldn't hurt. I mean they wouldn't even notice it.
Okay, enough ranting for now. Just get the work done. Then, finally get some sleep.
The next day
My mom was packing her bags, she was telling me how worried she was that her luggage was two kilos over the limit.
I made a sarcastic comment that got me a thump in the shoulder. Then, I told her not to worry. I told her that they only care if you are five kilos over the limit.
I was wrong.
At the check-in counter, the agent wanted to charge us for the extra weight. I mean, two kilos, come on. Luckily, my mum had some space carry-on weight, so my brother and I shifted the heavier clothes to her bag and we made it through. two kilos man, I mean, give me a break.
At immigration, we said our goodbyes. My feet wanted to follow her but because of "airport rules", they wouldn't let us go further. Dumb airport rules.
We hugged and then we were reduced to waving. And we kept waving long past she disappeared behind the gates. I remember trying to hold back the tears.
And that's when I remember why I put up with the late nights.
Why I spend my time outside of work, working.
It's why I want to be independent and own my time.
So that I can spend that time with the ones I love and not have to negotiate leave with my company just because I want to see my family.