[2024-03-28] Finding clarity through writing
Anne Frank said, "I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn."
I nodded knowingly as I read that quote tonight, as writing helped me find clarity within confusion today.
The source of my confusion? Income tax.
Given that my pay file was closed last year, the 2023 tax year is proving to be more complex than usual. My tax slips included entries that I had never seen before. I was perplexed.
So I turned to words to help. As I pored over my tax slips, I took notes and created tables. I added and subtracted figures. After an hour or two of reading and writing, I could make sense of the numbers, but it took words—written down—to get there.
I also discovered a little gift that Past Jen had left for Present Jen: notes from the 2022 and 2021 tax years, reminding me of things I had done and lessons I had learned in previous years. My written deliberations today will form the basis of the 2023 note for Future Jen.
As I concluded my writing about my income tax, I had shaken off the feeling that my return was altogether messed up. Instead, I can sleep peacefully, as Roald Dahl said, knowing that I've done all I can today.
