A friend had an excellent post come pouring out, but did not want the post to appear on their own site, for fear of upsetting loved ones. So I am posting it here. I will also post any comments or responses the author has to make, anonymously, if the author so desires.

And I may steal the idea for a post of my own later.

This week, I was running on empty and had nothing to write, so I turned to a writing site for writing prompts. The one that caught my attention was:

“I wish I could…”

Right now, I wish I could walk away from my tremendous load of stress and obligation. I’d trade being comfortably well off for being sane. If I could, I’d quit, now, and sell or give away as much of my possessions as possible. I’d simplify everything, and focus instead on living an interesting and rewarding life. I’d travel, make art, write, and trust the universe to provide.

But I have a family who requires the stability of a home, and I have an obligation to keep their daily routine and their stuff in place.

So I work fifty hours a week at a job that makes me crazy but pays a professional wage, I keep the home fires burning, and I store my dreams of freedom and travel and art in a box on a shelf, for someday.

I just wish there was a little more space in my life for me.