My Dad's Death Showed Me That Experiences Matter More Than Money
By Tayla Blaire
When the author's dad died, she reevaluated her approach to work.
In the whirlwind of administrative chaos and grief that follows sudden loss, it took some time for me to notice the change. It was normal to work less while grieving, right? Except, almost two years later, I'm still in the process of healing, but my work habits have transformed dramatically.
I had been working tirelessly for years. Balancing full-time teaching with a writing side hustle, I often pulled long hours, starting as early as 7 am and working well into the night. Weekends were no exception, neither were school breaks. Even after an accident in May 2024 that left me out of work while my arm healed, I returned to my highest-earning month once recovered.
But then my dad died, and my perspective shifted. There wasn't a sudden windfall to ease the pressure or deep depression to consume me. Instead, priorities reshuffled. My identity changed in 2024—I came close to dying in a horse riding accident and then, within months, my dad had a heart attack at 65.
The way people spoke about my dad inspired me to live more fully. Hundreds shared stories of his generosity, kindness, adventurous spirit, talent, humor, and chaotic nature. The sheer volume of anecdotes seemed almost mythical, as it was hard to believe someone could accomplish so much in a lifetime. My dad even took up kitesurfing in his 50s because he thought it looked cool.
A New Perspective
So, I've started making different choices. I still work—a lot—but now, it's about quality over quantity. I prioritize experiences over money and focus on building memories rather than amassing wealth.
This isn't a perfect process; I'm still learning and growing. But in the aftermath of my dad's death, it became clear that life is short, and time with loved ones is precious. Experiences—whether they're moments shared with family or achievements reached through hard work—leave indelible marks on our souls. And those are the things that truly matter.