For more context, writing this list was a necessary step in assessing my situation, accepting reality, and moving on. It wasn't as simple as "no pay, no work."

For more context, writing this list was a necessary step in assessing my situation, accepting reality, and moving on. It wasn't as simple as "no pay, no work." It should've been, but it's hard when you enjoy the job, love the team, and desperately want the venture to succeed. It's harder still when you see potential investors and clients actively meeting with the founder right up until the end of the runway. It's easy to delude yourself into thinking that one signature will bring everything back to normal. In the end, we all missed two paychecks and, when it was clear that things weren't coming back soon, everyone dropped down to a 10% retainer (in IOUs) while simultaneously being encouraged to find freelance or full time work. I took that opportunity to learn letterpress printmaking and travel a bit while getting my professional life back in order. Not a bad deal. But I'll never do that again. (FWIW, the startup in question did, eventually, repay its debts)