I'm Bankrupt

I wish I could end the year on a more positive note, but I can’t. 

Someone once introduced the idea of declaring ‘email bankruptcy’. 

When you have so many unread emails, that you’ve concluded you’ll not be able to respond to them all — that’s when you simply go to your inbox, select all, and delete. And then, declare to everyone that you’re sorry, but you’ll not be able to pay that ‘email debt’… you’re bankrupt. 

If this is the first time you’re hearing of it — Google it… it’s a thing. 

Today’s the very last work-day before Christmas, and I’m saving next week for deep work and planning. I would have loved to have responded to every single email by today — so I can start 2024 with a clean slate. But I have to cross over to the new year with this burden of debt. And it’s not a great feeling. Actually, it’s a pretty awful feeling. My to-do list, like my inbox, has grown exponentially this year — both with work on Stellar, and well… the rest of life as a father, husband, son, brother, friend…

But I am alive, and for that I’m grateful. I don’t expect I’ll leave this earth with everything checked off my to-do list, and with the glow of having achieved ‘Inbox Zero’. In fact, I’d be curious what emails would be left unanswered when my time comes. 

And I am even more so, grateful for the many gifts of friendship I’ve received this year. 

How does one repay debts of love and kindness from friends? (And by friends — I include the teammates, customers, and investors who may, perhaps stumble upon this post.) Also — how does one account for the gift of life, fresh air, clean water, and the many things that I’ve never had to work on to obtain?

I am in debt. And unable to repay. I am pretty much bankrupt. 

But I’ve learned it’s not actually a bad thing after all.

p/s: Sorry I missed your text — I’ll get on it next year, I promise…

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