I'm not going to go so far as to say that I found joy in doing my taxes (Taxes: 0) but I did find joy in having completed my taxes. Especially since it was just about the only thing I could have done productively with my day. I was home sick, feeling very very tired but not horrible if I didn't get up off the couch. I thought about trying to creatively write something, but I didn't really have the energy for that. I thought about watching a movie, but I truly wasn't in the mood. I actually had wanted to be at work, because I have some budget stuff to finish up before I take next week off, but every time I got up to see if I could pull off the commute, I ended up nestling back on the couch. And that's when it came to me that I could do my taxes, which is 79% mindless and 97% on the couch. I'll spare you the details (even though they say the joy is in the details) but suffice it to say that by 6 PM, I had all my receipts organized into envelopes and in a box, and I had a document with all my numbers on it, and I had a pile of forms to bring to my accountant (my accountant thanks to faithful reader Barbara P.) and I was patting myself on the back and nestling further into the couch.
Earlier in the day, Josh had a music session with Winograd (Winograd: 1) that I was lucky enough to be around for. I think there's something extra joyful about the unexpected. Sad to be sick, cheered up by a friend making jokes, talking music, playing music. Not that an expected Winograd would have been less delightful, but when I found out he was coming over, I got happier right away, and I didn't even have to do the work of planning something joyful for myself. Let's call that a win/Winograd situation.
Yes, there's a joy in doing your taxes. Especially if there's an accountant to do the rest of the work; all you have to do is go over the forms and leave those complicated formulas to the pros. The whole process could be awful, so it's better you have someone to help you than end up overpaying your taxes.
ReplyDeleteBobbi Burtch