Anyone participating in dry January or done similar things in the past? Did you notice an effect on mental health or other benefits?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

For medical reasons I cut out alcohol for over a year and to be honest it wasn’t a big deal. There are so many NA beers like Heineken 0.0 (tastes great on draft) and other NA craft beers that hardly anyone noticed or made a thing out of me not drinking. Also mock tails. I felt happier at events though. It was nice not ever getting to the point of an evening where you’re going to vomit or eat 10 tacos at Taco Bell. I felt like I could be so much more present going out and not spend the next day recovering. Also not feeling next day shame that I overshared something I shouldn’t have. Also getting solid sleep.

like

Am doing a dry January. Had a nonalcoholic beer yesterday - Krombacher Weizen - and it was actually good! The waitress also recommended Heineken’s NA beer and said she’s doing the same, « to make better choices. » Sums it up well. It’s been surprisingly easy. In the past I’d come home and have a red wine immediately. We will see how easy it remains once the kids’ school starts up and there’s homework to deal with again!

like

I quit drinking at the beginning of my legal career and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I made it 10 years in BigLaw and I don’t think that would have been possible if I were drinking. I would self describe as an extremely high functioning alcoholic, so I could have been fine while drinking and working but god everything would have been so much more stressful. The clarity of mind allowed me to move through my career intentionally and by constantly changing things that weren’t working and going on part time schedules etc. highly recommended! My wife has no alcoholic tendencies whatsoever and joined me in sobriety 3-4 years after we started. She is a lawyer as well and swears that it has improved her life too.

like

Have had a drinking problem that's steadily gotten worse over the last year (on-and-off for a decade). Finally started back at the gym. Not doing a "dry" January because that'd be a crazy change (and maybe dangerous at my intake level), but the last 5 nights I've had less than 6 drinks, which is about a quarter of my usual night. Been a bit irritable mentally, but already feeling better physically. Going to try to keep cutting down until I have just one or two a night.

like

Good luck.

like

Related Posts

Any EY folks with questions and answers on IVF or Pathways to Parenthood benefits before Annual Enrollment period ends???

like

Does Boston Consulting Group have the following?
- HSA
- After tax contributions to 401k w/ in plan Roth conversion

I’m joining in a few weeks and doing some planning on how to adjust my existing accounts/strategy.

Thanks!

like

Soooo how are we feeling about booking flights to Europe for early spring? Less so worried about getting covid as I’m boosted but more so about worsening restrictions. I’m looking at countries that have already announced they aren’t changing restrictions BUT the flights have layovers in countries that are (ie UK, France, Germany). Also wondering when to book as prices for those flights seem to be skyrocketing.

like

Sell Shopify or hold? Already 14% down today after the vaccine news. Will it recover?

like
like

Hi friends, looking for some advice. I am currently in India due to a family health emergency for my mom. She is still critical and don’t have a good timeline on returning to work. I have taken pto but that will soon be over. What are my options? Will LOA impact my immigration status? I am on H1B.

like

Hey all, do you guys have any recommendations for low carb/high protein Indian diets? I am a South Indian, never feel satiated if I don’t eat my rice. Also not a big fan of rotis. Please pour in what other foods/recipes/advice you have!

likefunny

6’0 and weighed in at 220lbs today. All time high and have gained 20lbs since gyms closed in March. When I did workout it was more or less 100% compound lifts. I’m now limited to a few kettlebells but am not even close to as consistent as I was. Any idea on how I can lose this excess 20lbs? I feel like it crept up over night.

like

I’m behind on my IG game & want to catch up. I went to a few events before COVID that I want to share but feel weird posting it now. Do I put throwbackthursday or beforeCOVID hashtags? Something else?

likefunny

So with possibly three vaccines arriving by January, what do we think? When does life return to normal?

When can I complain at the pub on a Friday about a physical meeting that went terribly?

When can I be socially anxious at an award show again?

I started Adderall and have been drinking a ton of water, over 120oz a day. My throat feels thick, not like an alrgic reaction almost like a strep throat feeling and my ears are popping. This started when I started my douse, anyone experience this or am I just sick

like

I’m feeling anxiety about Coronavirus. Does anyone else think that the virus is being used by the government for population control? I don’t know if I’m paranoid.

like

Sooo who’s working on Pfizer’s covid vaccine?

like

Anyone have experience with the new ADD medication Azstarys? Thoughts, opinions welcome. I’m curious to know how it might work compared to Adderall.

like

Can anyone share any examples of outstanding direct to consumer healthcare ads?

like

I accepted a new offer and put in my notice this week and my company provided a counteroffer. The offer is lower than my new offer but I know it’s the best they can do. Financially I do need the money but I’m also tempted to stay because my current team is so great. I have 2 questions 1) when does it make sense to prioritize workplace happiness/ balance over financial well-being? 2) if I go back on my offer acceptance should I consider that bridge burned?

like

Anyone have experience using CBD for pain? I have had shoulder pain for years due to a bone spur and thinking about trying it. Most CBD stuff I’ve seen on social media seems sponsor related

like

Any tips for how to maximize property damage insurance claim?

I'm 1st time landlord and my single tenant in Seattle unfortunately overdosed on cocaine+pills 5 days before found in kitchen. :( Extensive damage.

Seeking tips - ex. contractor validating damage was on highest cost cabinets & flooring, replace all tile/grout, contractors upbid damage value (within reason).

Too many are advising being bold w insurance companies we all pay for most our lives, but open to all advice.

like

Anyone have recommendations for a therapist dealing in procrastination and anxiety management? Feeling a bit stuck lately. Thank you!

like
like

More Posts

How many of you still wake up early to watch Test matches ?? I have woken up 3am EST to watch India vs Australia, India vs SA series

like

What are you supposed to do when you suspect than one of the higher-ups may be involved in criminal conduct? Don’t want to idly stand by but I’m concerned about potential consequences.

like

Anybody here a FTB in London, UK?
If so what kind of mortgage rates are you expecting?

When do you know you've toured enough houses and should pick one from the list you've got? I've seen probably 15-20 homes, and put in one offer. How many homes should you tour minimum, and how many offers did you put in before you closed? I don't want to be too hasty and choose something just because, but I also think continuing to see homes isn't really making my decision any easier. Thanks!

like

What does transitioning from entrepreneurship > top VC fund look like? Seems like they usually come in at the partner level, but what kind of background would they need? Would say a 7-figure exit mean much? Low 8-figure?

like

Haven't interviewed since I joined PwC 5 years ago so I'm a little rusty. Prepping for Deloitte interviews soon (senior consultant S&O). Any tips? I know I have to practice cases.

like

What are some strategies for a current 3L looking for a job to overcome many jobs asking for several years of experience? Should I even apply? I have some experience from internships, but is it enough

like

Hi Fishes
I have an offer from GlobalLogic , can anyone please share reviews of this organization .
Thanks

Is it worth going for AM?

Is it possible to be an RIA and a Mortgage broker or is that prohibited?

Current CTC 20 fixed. YoE 11.
An offer HSBC is in pipeline ( 28 fixed as per Recruitment consultant). Position offered is Senior consultant specialist.
However I know that there is scope of pushing the offer till 36. Any inputs on getting the offer to desired figure would be helpful.

like

Hey all. You can find Brooklyn Zoom meetings at brooklynintergroup.org. Some in the AM, others in the evening. All are welcome!

like

Any transfer from tax to FDD? How was the learning curve from the transition ? And what were some unforeseen challenges that you didn’t expect?

like

In your opinion, what brand is the best at social? Feels like it’s so hard to get creatives to think beyond film scripts

like

Any gyals in Toronto?

like

Just had year end discussion. Not at all happy with how it went

like
like

Will TCS change the work location before joining. What is the process

like

Infosys vs tcs for job Security?

like

How can I properly show my interest in a particular area of law? Here is the context: Lately it became very obvious that the company is about to go public when they hired a securities attorney as the new GC. She is great to work with and provided my with valuable feedbacks. But there is one problem: she is not involving me in any of the fun work. What can I do to show my interest and get to learn what she is doing?

like

Additional Posts in Mental Health and the Legal Profession

Most/Least stressful areas of practice (in either transition or litigation)

like

Guilt and shame about working in a legal position for years where, instead of using my law degree (was supposed to do legal work per the job posting), I served as a personal assistant to my boss/did nothing for maybe half the time. I feel like I was paid for work I didn't do. I've since left that job but the guilt and shame remains. I feel that I lack the character of a lawyer and that I am unworthy of the profession. I don't know how to make up for the lost years or how to forgive myself.

like

Anyone here willing to share their firsthand experience of searching for and selecting a therapist? My wife was kind enough to vet a few through our church and her friends, but wondering if I might find a better fit with a therapist who specializes in working with lawyers or small business owners.

like

People with depression in big law- how do you manage? How do you meet your hours? The lack of support/training and being remote has been very hard on me.

like

Hi friends! Is this bowl still alive?

Post Photo
like

What about legal work is currently causing your mental health struggles?

Mine’s the hours, which is not normally my issue. I billed 230 for June and July and am already at 145 for August. My ability to focus is getting worse by the day, so I’m working longer to bill the same hours and have had to pull a couple all nighters. I burst into tears this morning when a client changed plans and now wants a major project by end of month, on top of my other deadlines next week... I just want to sleep.

like

Choose to be happy today

likeuplifting

I’ve had a really tense, emotionally exhausting week. Things wrapped up yesterday and now my body feels so strung out and exhausted. Any tips for coming down from being so strung out without relying on toxic habits and just shutting down/procrastinating? (My brain is saying “go for a run” and my body is getting stuck picking at my eyebrows for two hours) I feel like my central nervous system is on a roller coaster.

like

Gripe- there is no room for a sick day in this profession. Big closing coming up. Have a bad cold. Have billed 40+ hours in the last 3 days.

Why do lawyers celebrate a culture of poor health?

like

SEEKING OPINIONS & FEEDBACK: I love the honest & practical discussions here, where people can freely identify things that are going on & seek guidance.

Wondering whether anybody’d be interested in some kind of more purposeful community- i.e., gathering w/fellow lawyers to pursue some specific mental health & well-being goals? We’d provide some counseling/coaching type content, in bite sized chunks, but have regular discussions to connect & encourage one another on applying the content IRL.

like

Is anyone else experiencing a new wave of covid anxiety due to the stress of figuring out the holidays? Got in an argument with a family member about safety guidelines and testing needing to happen and I’ve been feeling paralyzed by anxiety all day.

like

question of the day: why did you join this bowl? Since I asked, I will start: I’ve been on a journey of recovery from legal-overachiever-workaholism. Changed jobs, city and environment and still working hard to recover from burnout that is, unfortunately, part and parcel of the legal profession.

like

When covid first hit, I was delighted to be working from home. My hours even improved. Now, because of some triggering events, I’m dealing with horrible panic attacks on the daily. I’m dissociating and can’t focus long enough to get work done. I JUST hit a year at this firm and am going on a one month stress leave. Worried I might not kick this mental state in that time. Any advice as to what I can do while on leave so I can come back focused and ready to work?

like

Does anyone have any advise when it comes to navigating getting help and your firm. I had a tough month mentally. But I reached out to my local bar’s LAP. I’m starting the process of seeing a therapist. But my dreads still here. I’m panicking about being short on hours, falling behind on my cases and explaining to my boss I know I’m behind at work but I am working on it. Any advise will be greatly appreciated.

likehelpful

I have chronic health issues and I’m severely depressed. I can’t even get myself to work anymore. If I don’t quit, I’m in serious danger of being fired. I feel that I need to just quit and take time off to get better but feel that it will be a stain on my career. I’m a pretty junior lawyer. Any advice. I just can’t do any work at all and I’m my anxiety and depression is spiraling out of control. I see a therapist I try to cope and it’s not working.

like

I’ve been working to an unhealthy degree lately. And I’ve been making the excuse that I have a lot of work right now, but I’m starting to wonder if I’m addicted to it. Part of it is anxiety and perfectionism. But my behavior is now actively harmful to myself and starting to harm my marriage.

How do I stop? I’m not talking work-life balance. I mean, how do I say, “I don’t care that the client wants this tomorrow and I’m not close to done, I’m going to sleep tonight”?

like

Wish apps like BetterHelp were free. I can’t afford healthcare or therapy (I’m unemployed, and yes, I’ve tried seeking pro bono therapy options — no place anywhere nearby offers it.) I really need a therapist I can talk to on at least a weekly basis to just unpack so much that’s bogging me down to the point of being unable to function some days, but it’s just so cost prohibitive! What sucks is everyone assumes this career hands you median wages on a platter but I’m worse off than I’ve ever been.

like

Has anyone had good experiences taking ashwagandha for daily stress?

like

How do i direct message someone

like

Mental health issues in our profession are finally being recognized. While mental health issues are not unique to lawyers, the profession and it's client service mantra present unique challenges.

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal