It’s me.

During interview season, a candidate asked, "What's the hardest part about your job?"

Honestly? Me.

I get in my own way--a lot.

I am prone to overworking and overthinking.

I am a people pleaser through and through.

I have worries and anxieties that weigh me down.

Sure, sometimes, these things propel me forward.

But, a lot of times, these things hold me back.

I'm grateful, though, to have reached a place where I can acknowledge these things.

A place where I can talk about them, challenge them, and sometimes leave them behind.

When in check:

☮ I am calm;

☮ I say no more often;

☮ I embrace downtime;

☮ I create space for things other than work;

☮ I am more creative;

☮ I am a better wife, friend, sister, daughter;

☮ I take better care of my physical self; and

☮ I am much for confident and content.

I also know this: I would carry these struggles with me into any job.

You should have seen me as a teacher--whew.

That idea is freeing.

Because it is not the law that makes me this way, I can recognize and enjoy the perks of the work.

I can step outside the law and see what is really causing me angst--often me and other humans doing human things.

And, I'm hopeful: maybe next interview season, it won't be me that comes to mind when asked this question.

#lawyerwellbeing #biglaw #work #law #personaldevelopment