It's Time to Boldy Make a Decision to Live a Life You Love
Feb 19, 2022
Do you ever find yourself taking "stock" of your life? Looking around -- grateful for everything you have -- but still wondering if this is all there is?
That’s what happened to me. I followed the “lawyer playbook” to a T.
🔹 I went to law school. Graduated near the top of my class. Served as the Executive Editor of the Law Review. Was part of an award-winning Moot Court team.
🔹 Then, I grinded as an associate. Spent hours upon hours researching (in books!) and writing briefs. Late nights. Early mornings. Saturdays. Putting in time at the office sometimes just to be seen in the office.
🔹 I became a partner. I owned my own practice. I’d made it! This is what I’d been working for my entire legal career. Partnership. Name on the door. Big desk in a big office.
And when I was on the verge of joining another partnership, I finally realized that I was profoundly unhappy at work. It didn’t matter where I was practicing law; I didn’t like it. Sure, it was affording me a very comfortable lifestyle. I liked the prestige. And the paycheck.
But I also didn't like the person who I'd become practicing law. The girl who suffered through years of the "Sundays," the weekly dread that the weekend was coming to an end and the workweek was quickly approaching. The girl who had to be more confrontational and combative in negotiations to succeed in a predominantly male profession. The girl who was wildly successful at practicing law, but losing herself a little bit more with each year that passed.
There came a point when I had to ask myself: did I want to spend the next 20-30 years of my working life COMFORTABLE but UNFULFILLED, and LIVING WITH THE REGRET, knowing that I’d stayed for a paycheck? Just to support the comfortable life I’d become accustomed to?
I chose to leave the law. I chose to pivot. I made a decision that was contrary to what everyone told me to do, what society told me I should want. I’d finally “made it.” Why couldn’t I just be happy with what I had?
But for me, 20-30 years is a long time to be unhappy. To live with regret. To wonder about what might have been.
And after leaving the law, I found out that I wasn't alone. There were so many successful, professional women like me, who were crushing it at the office, but profoundly unhappy with their work life. And that the discontent they were feeling at the office was spilling over into their life outside of the office.
You might be in a similar place. You need to figure out for yourself: are you OK living with the regret to stay comfortable, but unhappy and unfulfilled?
If you'd like some help from someone who's been where you're at, I can help. And listen: you don't have to leave your career to live a life you love. I mean, maybe you do, but just because that was the sticking point for me doesn't mean that you need to blow up your professional life to find a life of complete satisfaction and fulfillment.
Regardless, it's time for your Act III. Because you deserve to live a life you love. 💙
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