I used to feel ambitious, now I just feel numb. I’m not burnt out in the obvious way. I’m still meeting deadlines, showing up, but there’s no spark. I’m not even sure what I want anymore. Have you ever hit this kind of professional plateau? What helped you get unstuck?

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This is how I’ve been feeling for roughly the last 6 months and I noticed it was a major problem when I took a week long vacation and came back to the office feeling the exact same way I left it just completely unmotivated, unappreciated and like I need a change. The only thing that has helped me is knowing there’s a light at the end of the tunnel because I accepted a new job and Will making the transition in a few short weeks

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I love this for you - and ME….. you just gave me a little hope.

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I’ve learned that a job is a job, and the spark you reference I can satisfy during my off time. I do not seek satisfaction from my job anymore; just want to be content and not super stressed. I work my 9-5 in-house job that provides zero excitement, is boring, and robotic at times, and then log off and do things that I enjoy.

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I want the in-house life.

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Get out. The idea that you make the most money in big law or that other opportunities are not available is propaganda and false. A JD presents so many opportunities to earn. Big law is a scam

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Yes Att1, please let me know. I want more moneyz!

/s/ government lawyer

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I have moments like this. Honestly, the thing that keeps me going is a fear of homelessness and a reminder of all the sacrifices that it took to get to where I am now. I also have hope that someday all of the pain and sacrifice will pay off.

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I share your perspective. I started as a Paralegal and worked my way up the ranks while attending Law School.

What I’m seeing/experiencing now is nothing close to what I expected it to be. I used to love this profession, now, not so much.

I have friends who traveled the same route with me and feel the same way. While we all agree that being involved with, and experiencing the inner workings of the law, provided each of us with incredible perspectives and knowledge, we are all asking ourselves and each other “ is this it ?” And if so where do we go from here 🤷‍♀️ ?

I’ve been working in big law for 13 years training and mentoring lawyers and partners. Unfortunately, the way you’re feeling is common in this industry. Not feeling like you can discuss your issues with your firm compounds the problem. Talk to your benefits administrator and see if there are mental health services you can take advantage of. I’ve been in counseling through Lyra for over two years and I highly recommend their approach to therapy.
Make sure it’s your benefits administrator and not HR…benefits is confidential HR is not.
Just being able to talk about how your feeling can really help you figure out what you need. Good luck to all of you.

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I feel this. How do you feel outside of work? Overall, I feel like just a worker, dog mom, and chore robot. I need to spice up my life - maybe move to more exciting city or get a remote job so I can travel more - but haven’t managed to get a new job yet or figure it out

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LP2 - I hear where you’re coming from. Can you take a few days or even a wk off for vacation? Maybe don’t even go anywhere and just putter around the house and do errands, or visit a chill friend or family member. If the situation is bad enough to take drastic action - & it sounds like it is - then you don’t have anything to lose by at least seeing what a short break does for you.

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Kind of going through this myself 🙏🏼 I feel you and I see you.

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This is how I felt about 10 months before I had an acute case of burnout. I would start looking for a new job now. It’s a process and starting it would set you up well before you reach a point where you need to leave.

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I’m with you. My confidence also is just shot.

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In the same boat! I’m “here” at my biglaw job but I’m really not present. I’m looking around at what other options look like but taking it slow—thinking about my next adventure/career move is getting me through this time honestly. .

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I do believe it is human nature to be forever dissatisfied. Speaking about myself, while trying to start with my career by entering a legal field, I am yet miles away to reach my point of success saturation. Fingers crossed.

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I felt like this and slugged it out for 12 years, then got completely burnt out and changed to an in house role thinking it would get better, but it didn’t.

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I was feeling that way and just realigned my career with a new role and I immediately felt that ambition return.

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Please share! I want to transition to another area - even willing to take a big pay cut and can’t seem to get any bites.

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I’ve been practicing for 3 years. Two in ID and now I’m doing corporate litigation and transactional work. I’m at the point where being a litigator is not what I want to do in the near future, let alone for the rest of my career. I can empathize with feeling ambitious, but now feeling numb and not experiencing that “spark”. Hitting a professional plateau is certainly real.

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I feel the exact same way.

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They numbed us out.

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I’m here now. I think I need a new practice area, just waiting for the right time to make a move.

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I’ve felt this way since my dad died last year, just waiting for the spark to come back

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I feel this way and a lot of people feel this way. I plan to get unstuck by leaving law altogether at some point tbh. Tends to make me feel a bit better when I view this whole thing as a pit stop along the way to something better that might actually be enjoyable work.

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I feel this too.

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My name is Adam Leitman Bailey and I wake up every day wanting it to be the best day ever and am inspired by my co-workers for the cause of fighting injustice and to be the best we can be. I feel like I am on a team. Great work is my drug. It breaks my heart to read and feel your comments. I do believe that there are answers to break this mold. I will give you three: Exercise every day; make sure you are doing something you love. Make sure you are doing something you are good at.

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