Chapter 1: The Reality of Parenting and Creativity

As I crafted this title, my son Eli was wailing in another room. With his first birthday just days away, it's clear that one-year-olds aren't fans of nap time.

Baby FOMO

Eli definitely exhibits classic baby FOMO. His cries intensify when he's taken to a dimly lit room, making him furious. This moment begged to be shared, but first, I needed to find something to help him sleep. We reside in China within a large apartment complex that features a dark, cool underground parking garage, which also has fantastic acoustics.

Whenever Eli resists sleep, we take strolls through the garage. Today, it took four laps before he finally dozed off to the tune of "You Are My Sunshine," after I serenaded him with a mix of 90's country hits.

The Importance of Reading

Alongside writing, I am a strong advocate for reading as a key driver of success, regardless of the recent trends on Medium suggesting otherwise. Building genuine relationships is crucial to achieving our goals.

Currently, my reading list includes 356 individuals, and if you comment on my posts, your profile is added. When I have a moment, I start from the top of this list. This method has proven effective in curating my reading material. Sorry, algorithm, but I have more valuable content to explore.

Unfortunately, managing this is becoming increasingly challenging. Since Eli started walking, he requires my full attention. To prioritize quality time with my family, I set aside my devices from 6 PM to 9 PM every weekday.

Balancing Dreams and Reality

I admire the internet gurus who insist that chasing your dreams requires ten hours a day. I understand the dedication, but my aspirations go beyond selling you the idea of easy passive income.

My true desire is to nurture a happy, balanced family while maintaining my mental and physical well-being. My writing and other ventures are simply tools to help achieve that goal. What’s the point of achieving success online if it means sacrificing my life in the process?

As the saying goes, "What will it profit a man to gain the entire world, but to lose his soul?" This perspective leads me to accept that I may not experience the same level of success as others in the realm of online content creation.

Ideally, I want to transition this into a full-time role—or at least a consistent income—with just a couple of hours of work. Wouldn't that be incredible? However, I recognize that my unwillingness to devote all my focus to this pursuit may hinder my success, and that’s a trade-off I’m not willing to make.

Prioritizing Family and Well-Being

Today, as Eli fell asleep in my arms during our walk in the parking garage, I felt an overwhelming sense of love and trust from him. There's no greater feeling than when a toddler surrenders their fight against sleep, placing their trust in you.

My family will always take precedence in my life, with work coming in as a distant second. Of course, I have financial responsibilities to meet, but my health will also be a priority because I want to be present for my family for many years to come.

Only after tending to my family and health will I find time to write.

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