When I retired a little over a year ago I had enough money saved up to last me about 60 days. I had no 401. I had no insurance. I had no plan — other than having more time to write. (I also had no wife to support, thank God!)

It was not a conscious choice. The choice was made for me. The business I worked for went out of business. I applied for a job at every business within walking distance but could not get a job. I was just too old. I lived on unemployment for a year — which meant that I slowly went into debt. (My unemployment paid for my rent and my electric bill and that was all. I would have starved to death if it wasn’t for food stamps.)

Just as my unemployment ran out Medium decided to cut my writing revenue by 80%. (Thank you, Medium.)

Right now, I’m not sure how I’m gonna pay April’s rent. Am I panicking? Oh, hell no! I’ve gone beyond that. I’ve turned my finances over to the Universe. I don’t even think about it much anymore. I live life day to day. Isn’t that what’s it all about?

So, compared to me, you don’t have anything to worry about. You are practically bathing in a gravy boat. Don’t let those worries get you down. I mean, seriously! Your fears have been your biggest impediment. You write like a maniac and soon you’ll be able to write even more. Is there anything better than that?

I can tell you from experience that the answer to that is NO.

I may end up in the gutter with birds pecking out my brains through my eyes and ears but that won’t stop me from continuing to write. Nothing will stop me until I give up the ghost. I may end up in a coma and I guarantee you that will not stop me from writing. Not until I have crossed over to the other side will I stop writing — and maybe not even then.

Just keep writing. Nothing else matters.