The unfortunate thing about working for yourself is that you have the worst boss in the world. I work every day of the year except at Christmas, when I work a half day.

Eddings’ joke turns the common fantasy of self-employment—freedom from bosses—on its head. When you work for yourself, the “boss” is your own ambition, anxiety, and perfectionism, which can be harsher and less forgiving than any external supervisor. The punchline about working every day of the year, with only a “half day” at Christmas, underscores how entrepreneurial or creative work can erase boundaries between labor and leisure. Beneath the humor is a caution: autonomy often comes with self-imposed pressure and an always-on mindset, especially for writers whose work is driven by deadlines, discipline, and the fear of falling behind.