I love this so much! I always dread doing my taxes and procrastinate until nearly the last minute and then when I dive into Turbotax I remember that I actually like doing my taxes. That's followed by the realization there was no reason for the tinge of dread I felt throughout March and the first week of April. I was about to make that same realization yet again. Your essay made me remember it a few days early and to be easier on myself for going through the same emotional cycle every year.
Also, your in-depth pep talk that we don't need to fear jail time or even financial ruin as we gear up to do our taxes is a refreshing break from the endless ocean of fear-based content that we all swim in these days. There's so much writing designed to make us worry about things (everything from not doing enough core exercise to not doing enough to save the planet). Saving the planet is important, but frankly a lot of the things the media warns us about are not going to happen to us. Your post is the exact opposite of that: it's making us worry less about something we are absolutely going to face (hence the old cliche "Nothing is certain but death and taxes.")
To close, as an avid reader but not really a writer, I'm amazed how much needed therapy I'm getting from Writer Therapy.
I love this so much! I always dread doing my taxes and procrastinate until nearly the last minute and then when I dive into Turbotax I remember that I actually like doing my taxes. That's followed by the realization there was no reason for the tinge of dread I felt throughout March and the first week of April. I was about to make that same realization yet again. Your essay made me remember it a few days early and to be easier on myself for going through the same emotional cycle every year.
Also, your in-depth pep talk that we don't need to fear jail time or even financial ruin as we gear up to do our taxes is a refreshing break from the endless ocean of fear-based content that we all swim in these days. There's so much writing designed to make us worry about things (everything from not doing enough core exercise to not doing enough to save the planet). Saving the planet is important, but frankly a lot of the things the media warns us about are not going to happen to us. Your post is the exact opposite of that: it's making us worry less about something we are absolutely going to face (hence the old cliche "Nothing is certain but death and taxes.")
To close, as an avid reader but not really a writer, I'm amazed how much needed therapy I'm getting from Writer Therapy.
For the record, I would rather do an impromptu speech in front of 1000 people while wearing a bathing suit than to have to do math in my head. 🫣
PS: If I’m REALLY not going to jail, can I now ignore those voice mails from “CRA” about the warrant out for my arrest? 😜
I like your reframing of “how come I make so little money from writing?” to “heck yeah, here’s some proof I’m a writer!”
I already celebrate submissions as “I’m participating in the writing community!” so that the outcome is less FRAUGHT.
This is a whole new level! Thanks so much!