Ah.. I knew it. I've always thought that looking for a job to earn money and even with the visual lure of being financially independent wasn't enough, I needed something more than that. At first, I didn't know what I was looking for.

My family and friends often told me to just work for the sake of money, they'd say "Just land a high-paying job first, get as much experience as possible while you're still young." Yes, I know experience is important, but I valued my time dearly and I couldn't just work because I had to work.

A lot goes on in my mind before deciding what to do. I think, as you said, they all boil down to my emotional connection to money. But I think I'm at least consciously appreciating my time (and energy, for that matter). Time is the most precious thing after all.