The dignity of work

How one paycheck is changing my entire future

Last week I got my first paycheck from the American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI).

This is the first significant money I’ve earned since 2008, and it’s changing my whole life, in more ways than I can count.

For one, there’s the extra money. (And I can’t pretend like money doesn’t matter — sure, it’s not the only thing, but it is a nice thing to have enough of. And now, in my current lifestyle, after a year of struggling, I finally have more than enough.)

I’ve had to go without some things since I moved out on my own, like a car, new clothes, or new furniture. (My kitchen table is my grandparent’s old card table from the 1950s, which is honestly kinda cool in a retro, vintage way, but really, it’s not the same as having an actual table…)

I’ve done alright though, with what I had. In fact, I’ve done rather well. I’ve avoided debt, so that’s huge right there. And I wouldn’t exactly say I’ve had to be tight with my money, because I do order a lot of too much DoorDash. (It’s just too dang convenient… and besides, it’s hard to cook for one person! Lol.)

So it’s not like I’m broke; just, I’ve had to make some hard decisions… the hardest of all being the decision not to travel to visit all my brothers and sisters.

But now that I have additional money coming in… and I can work from anywhere as long as I have a laptop and an internet connection… I’m making up for the lack of travel, among other things.

I’ve learned over the past year how to be financially stable, so all the money I earn from AWAI (and from any other clients in the future) is money I can spend on whatever I want: a nicer apartment, a car, travel, maybe some new cowboy boots…

I have freedom and flexibility in my life now, the likes of which I haven’t known in a long, long time.

And more than just having money, is knowing I’ve earned the money.

It wasn’t given to me, like my disability income. (Although, I am incredibly grateful for my disability income… without that I wouldn’t be living independently right now. And I could argue that by joining the Navy and getting PTSD, I did “earn” disability… but that’s another discussion.)

There’s something to be said for earning my wages… for knowing that I have skills somebody else is willing to pay me for… that I’m making a difference, and contributing to society in a meaningful and productive manner.

It’s giving me a sense of pride in my work that I didn’t know I was missing. It’s one thing to do something really well, and know you’ve helped somebody. But to get paid to do the thing — to receive money in exchange for your time and your talents -- takes it to a whole nother level.

I feel like I have value in the marketplace, and other people recognize that value — and I can’t fully explain why (probably one of my psychology friends can), but just knowing other people see the value in what I do changes the way I feel about myself, and the way I interact with the world around me.

The work itself is incredibly rewarding.

I get to spend time each day encouraging other writers, boosting their confidence, helping them develop their skills and learn how to find their first clients… all by having conversations with them on social media. (And the best part is I don’t even need to know the answers; I just need to point them to the right resources, and tell them they’re doing a great job.)

I get to put my skills to use to enrich, uplift, and edify other people. I basically get paid just to ensure people are winning in their career goals! I’m like a cheerleader for copywriters, and I absolutely love it.

It gives me purpose, meaning, and direction, that for the last 15 years or so I’ve been completely lacking.

Mind you, I’m not saying that work alone is the be-all and end-all. A balanced life requires that we also make time for family, friends, hobbies, etc., as much as our work allows.

But I do think meaningful, satisfying work needs to be part of the overall picture. If nothing else, I think we need to know that our actions are contributing to the welfare of society — or at least, our own communities.

(Like I know what I’m talking about, though… I’ve only been working for about 5 minutes lol…)

There is, though, an undeniable measure of dignity and self-respect that comes from working. I know there is, because I’m already feeling it.

I hope I can continue to feel this way about it, for the rest of my working career.