I got that coveted big law job.

But I would much rather want a family of my own and someone to hug and kiss, something I feel really sad about around christmas.

Never had much contact with my dad, and two years ago, I broke off contact with my mother because I realized that she had been a manipulative narcissist my entire childhood.

Working 50-60h weeks on average doesn’t help your dating life though, and who would want to date someone with no family anyway

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

Who wouldn’t want to date someone with no family?

likefunny

its honestly really nice bc they’re 100% on your team and now you have a person to roll your eyes with when things go off the rails

like

Congrats on achieving your goal of big law! It sounds like now that you’ve reached it, you may be realizing your priorities lie elsewhere (developing personal relationships). That is something I really struggled with too and therapy has helped. If you don’t need this job financially (big IF), then maybe start planning your next steps. Happy to chat more if helpful.

like

I know friends with little to no contact with their families, both of whom date (and are successful at dating)

I’m gay, which makes it different (sadly, having little family is common). But a good person will see you for you. Just be good to yourself — sleep, get a haircut, try to get some exercise — small changes pay huge dividends in the dating world.

likehelpful

Ok so… get a new job? People should want to date you for you, don’t sweat the rest.

like

If you are looking for family, look for a partner with family… a welcoming family. Just add it to your list of what you want in someone.

like

Don’t think that the no-family thing counts against you! It’s good you cut out those who were unhealthy in your life.

The big law job is difficult to date (esp in the first and second years), but it does get easier to manage your own time as you get more senior. I started BL almost 30 and thinking I’d forever be single since I expected to have no time to date, but then I ended up meeting someone in the first few months of working, started dating him (he was incredibly understanding re my work so I lucked out), and now it’s been 4 years of our relationship/big law

like

Don’t let the family thing hold you back.

Will someone reject you because you don’t have a close family? Maybe a few, but there are just as many if not more people out there who would see not having to spend any holidays with the in-laws as a good thing, particularly if they are very tight with their own family.

Also, find a good therapist to discuss these issues with if you haven’t already. They can help you cope with and overcome self-doubt.

like

I empathize with you on the family thing. If your mom is truly a narcissist, she has probably told you throughout your life that you’re going to be alone forever. Been there. I actually think that the first thing you need to do is hire a good therapist to help you silence the voices left over from your abusive parents. Once you’re in a better mindset, the other things will work themselves out.

like

First off congrats on the job!

Secondly, and I say this with love and kindness - a single person no kids working 60 hours a week is not (imho) some sort of crazy life. It’s all about prioritizing what’s important to you.

I don’t think it’s the no family that would be the barrier to dating, I think it’s the woe is me hum drum attitude.

like

I agree with others that not having contact with your family shouldn't affect your personal relationships. I don't have much contact with my family either, and had no issues dating and getting married. It actually would be weird if a potential date held it against you. Anyway, I hope you'll meet someone you're looking for. It is tough with this job, but definitely possible. Sending my best wishes your way

like

Really empathize with you. It must be really hard, especially during this time of year. If I were you I would stay away from any triggers (like social media?), connect with a good friend who makes you happy, and find a good therapist to help dispel myths and critique that you might have internalized from your parents over the years.

Like everyone else has said, in terms of dating - most people wouldn’t care if you don’t have a big loving family. EVERY family has issues - some of the ones that seem big and happy have some toxic issues too. I think as people get older they start to really understand that and therefore might empathize more with those who have distanced themselves from toxic family members. Also remember that you can start a family.

Meeting someone in big law is hard but if you prioritize it, it is totally doable. Think about what kinds of boundaries you can set at work in order to create the time and mental space to do so.

like

Are you able to work remote? If so, move somewhere where prostitution is legal and no need to worry about "time" for dating, just walk to the red light district whenever you have time, pay a couple hundred, and get all the companionship you want at your convenience.

Would *strongly* advise against kissing though (trust me on this one).

Relatedly, does anyone have a good referral for an oral surgeon in the Amsterdam area?

like

Lmao this is such an autistic response. OP was talking about wanting a relationship, not needing to get a nut. Jeezus weirdo.

likefunny

Don’t give up hope! It is definitely possible to find a significant other while working in Big Law. It may take some time, but all is not lost.

like

I also never had much of a relationship with my dad and went no contact with my mom because she is a manipulative narcissist.

I found a terrific guy and now have two great kids. Not having a relationship with your parents doesn’t make you less of a catch! Plenty of people would want to date you for your personal qualities regardless of your family situation.

I did a few years in Biglaw. Unfortunately, my time in Biglaw overlapped with the time in my life when I realized the extent of my mom’s abuse and that I can no longer maintain a relationship with her. During those years, I was basically in a thick fog of depression. It was really tough and I’m really sympathetic to your situation.

like

Become a swinger? New families to hug and kiss whenever you want (with consent, of course)

It’s not the hours. It’s being on-call at all times. Who wants to date someone who constantly has to bail because of work?

Related Posts

How do you know that this is your person? Can you choose someone even though your ideals, philosophies, and lifestyle are very different or are you essentially settling?

like

Anyone work for Rivkin Radler? How is the pay/WLB?

like

Does anyone get so anxious about work that they can’t eat? The thought of food just makes you want to puke? How to manage? Skipping meals/not eating for a day is unhealthy and will cause weight gain

like

Can anyone provide honest review of KAS services a subsidiary of KMART in terms of job security and WLB in analytics domain?

Does anyone have experience or know of someone who went on a FWA (part-time) but didn't have kids? I'm unmarried and no kids but considering a move to 30 or so hrs/week for my sanity.

like

Hey all, I’m considering a position with KPMG’s Deal Advisory / M&A service line as an M. What are your thoughts on 1) work life balance, 2) business outlook, and 3) culture? The salary is very competitive.

like

Stress is causing a massive flare-up of racing thoughts recently. I feel like it's been at least a week or two since I last was able to completely clear my mind. And if it's not random stream-of-consciousness mess, it's music. Ever had a song stuck in your head? Because I've had one for four days now. Driving me nuts. Anyone else struggle with this/have a solution?

likeuplifting

I'm a little worried about microplastics in my food. Is this just hysteria?

like

What’s the work-life balance at Strategy& and EY-Parthenon in the London offices? At the moment I’m averaging around 50-55 hours at my boutique - higher or lower?

like

I got offer letter from Virtusa. I never heard about company's name. Can anyone tell me about company? Work culture or WLB
I have another offer from IBM of 19
Virtusa giving 24 lpa
Choosing virtusa is over IBM good or not?

Best divorce lawyer in NYC?

like

Anyone else struggling with hormones / mood swings? I am almost 16 weeks and been having a real tough time lately, feeling really down and stressed about things. Sadly, causing tension between me and my partner as well as he cannot relate and seems preoccupied with business as usual. Trying to get out the funk and just telling myself it’s all the hormones.

like

Has anyone used collagen products? If so did it work/did you see results. If yes, also please let me know what kind 🥺

like

Can someone please help me with the scope of Advisory role in Procurement Transformation team ?
Also, how is WLB and travel requirements away from base location.

like

I could be your next husband. Slide in my DMs to find out.

likefunny

Accenture vs ZS for WLB?

I have technology backgorund but if ZS WLB is good might consider strategy too.

like
like

More Posts

Eid Mubarak fellow Muslim number crunchers! Hope you guys eat sewaiyan and get henna tats!

like

What’s the best way to maximize having both the chase freedom unlimited and sapphire preferred?

For context, I’ve had the unlimited for 2 years and just opened the preferred because of the bonus offer. I will hit the $4k spending target, but after that, what’s the best way to use these two in tandem, given the unlimited rewards are all around much better.

like

Hello All,
Need referal for my friend for Sales force admin role.
He have done his certification. Currently working in TCS and serving notice period (approx 45 days remaining)
He do not have a offer yet.
Can anyone please refer my friend.
Thanks in Advance.

like

For 7 years experience Candidate how much wells fargo can offer

After you are stealth laid off, other than job search, what do you do? I assume they won’t give you work and even if they do, you can politely decline? How do you feel about you are not progressing anymore and seeing other people progressing in their career? I have no intention to make partner, but still feel a bit stuck not doing that much.

like

Few Senior positions open in Capgemini.
If anyone interested then DM me.

Post Photo
like

How are the salary hikes at nagarro? I heard the hikes has decreased! If yes what can I expect after a year? I am 4 year experienced

Anyone have any recommendations for a good exterior car wash?

like

Any resume writer referrals? I’m trying to make the jump into project management. I have 13YOE managing cross-departmental projects and people, and I’d like to shed the general EA work of calendars/travel/expenses. But recruiters just see my most recent role is EA and that’s all they want to talk to me about. I’m hoping a better written resume will help target algorithms to get my resume viewed for other roles.

like

Does a 20 year long career at Deloitte hold much value in the marketplace in light of the current economic situation? Started as a change leadership Consultant, but ultimately spent majority of my career in Resource Management and Global Mobility.

Ey Gds or PWC Sdc/AC which one is good for 9+years of experience interms of WLB, hikes and other benifits?
TIA

like

How much annual CTC to expect from EY Parthenon in Singapore as a Manager (B.Tech, MBA, overall 12 years of work-ex)?

like

Happy to inform that this bowl is now 1000+ times stronger! 1.2K members and counting! 😀

like

Is anyone’s company offering to pay portion of your rent as home office expense? Especially if company is no longer paying for commercial office space?

like

Can we stay long term in nagarro for about 3-4 years thinking about it any suggestions

like

Does nagarro deducted tax from first month's salary, as company is saying that we can only show our investment once first salary is credited.

like
like

I'm new to the field. Everyone seems extremely stressed and overworked. Am I seeing the worst of it, or is that the norm?

like

Want to negotiate salary at an AMLAW200 firm in atlanta. Not a lot of public information about what peer firms (ie, not NY lockstep firms matching cravath scale) pay. What are mid-senior level associates making in Atlanta?

like

Hey folks,
Can someone tell what is the process to hire a contractor in amex ?
I am working as a contractor since Nov ‘21

Additional Posts in Big Law

Hey everyone, I'm currently getting my undergraduate in Finance/Risk Management with a comm minor with hopes of law school immediately after grad. I have been recently thinking of switching to a double major of business management along with the finance. Want to practice corporate law, does anyone think this change would be worth it? Thanks!

like

I’m debating to join Locke Lord Dallas in transactional. I’m looking to stay at the firm long term and would appreciate any information y’all have. Please be as candid as possible.

like

How do you deal with a Midlevel who tells the partner you’ll cover for them, but gives you less than 24 hours notice they’ll be gone without asking if you can cover? I helped out back on July on a deal with they were on vacation, and now every vacation since they keep adding me back on without keeping me appraised of the deal in the interim

like

Anyone have slow months where you burn through a lot of your allotted pro bono/professional development hours to keep hitting minimum daily hours? The past few weeks have been like this for me. Should I be concerned (I.e., will this reflect poorly on me, come review time? Will I have dug myself too much of a hole if I keep burning my non-billable hours?) I’ve been asking partners if I can assist in any projects so I can fill my plate, but I’ve only gotten small (4-6 hour) tasks handed my way.

like

I have ADD and occasionally make small mistakes in my work, like leaving a word missing when editing sentences, small formatting errors or leaving an internal comment in drafts sent to clients. All partners have been very understanding and care about the quality of my work, and no client has ever complained. Partners and clients praise my work.

But now, one partner has become super mad and when I explained ADD, he said:

likefunny

Big law literally saved my life. I was working for the government and being sued by creditors and in a deep, dark place. I wasn't even able to afford my Ube transfer application on my own. I've been at my firm for 3 years now and my life has completely changed. I was so close to declaring bankruptcy it's not even funny. I understand why people rag on it but some of us would be in a really bad place if we weren't here

likeupliftingsmarthelpful

I wish I had even a tiny fraction of the energy I had when I first started this job

like

First year here. Do associates get fired for not meeting the billable requirements?

like

What’s the difference between an inefficient associate and a high biller? I know one is bad and the other is good, but aren’t they usually the same?

like

My mentors (partner & senior) have scheduled a feedback meeting with me on Wednesday. It’s not just me, they’re scheduling meetings with everyone so I’m probably keeping my job. Thing is, I’ve been incredibly frustrated with the firm - I’m buried in work and billing like crazy, but there’s zero transparency on financials and zero communication on bonuses (...)

like

What is the next step to take as a 5th year to add value to sr associates, partners, and client? How do I make my skills jumó and differentiate from the pack?

like

What do you think is the acceptable cutoff time for when it’s no longer reasonable to expect an immediate response to email? I’ve been getting only a few hours of sleep for the past few days. Finally had a night where things seemed quiet and I fell asleep at like 8:45 pm! I woke up at around 6 am to a full inbox and I felt kind of stupid for missing 9 pm emails because that is a really early bedtime (but boy do I feel better this morning!).

like

Which big law firm in Dallas has the “better” work life balance?

like

Anyone have any recommendations for a family law attorney in DC for divorce?

like

6th year - over 2000 hours, great review last year, this year they said will not promote me. They will do a mid year review early next year and if still no good, will discuss “transition” plan. HR said I have until next spring. Sounds like I can stay on payroll for another 7-8 months? Is it real? I have a lot of financial obligations so want to know the worst scenario

like

Trying to lateral and the conflicts clearance process could not be more frustrating. I'm at the point where I'm becoming resentful and annoyed at my new firm and I haven't even started. Is this indicative of my future experience there or completely unrelated?

like

Is an offer after only a first screener a red flag?

like

2nd year. What’s the typical bonus schedule?

like

The biggest lie you've told during a job interview? And did you ever get caught?

like

Just learned that my bonus is being docked 5% because I missed a weekly (not month-end) deadline for submitting hours. I got a warning the first time this happened last month so it’s on me, but I’m still livid. Is this normal?

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