tetris, I agree with your wife. A job is just that. You do the job and then you get paid. She gets that no matter how much you love your work, your work isn't going to love you back.
Regarding ideas: why not treat yourself to a good pen and a nice hardcover notebook? A5 is a decent size, but A6 is better if you want to keep it in your pocket. Keep your notebook handy and write things down. It'll be different exercise for your hands than typing.
I've been "experimenting" with paper more these days. It's more of a hassle to transform the ideas from pen to machine later on, but I do seem to retain more in the process.
She gets that no matter how much you love your work, your work isn't going to love you back.
Oof that one hit me hard. Well said.