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Is it jus me or is this high key racist?
Anyone live at vireo? Is it worth the cost?
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Chief
y’all heard about them layoffs??? 👀
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Rising Star
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Ohhhh boy. Time for a rude awakening. Biglaw?
Don’t talk about work outside of work. Get in do your job and leave it at the office as much as possible. This will help create a better boundary and space for things other than work, even if it is just 30 minutes an evening doing something other than work.
Rising Star
I think it’s really hard if you start out WFH because it’s hard to draw those clear boundaries.
If you’re going to the office, I recommend developing a ritual for when you get home to signal to your body and mind that there has been a transition to home life. For me, it is a brisk walk outside with my dog and then prepping dinner. I use that time to let the workday go. I do sometimes have to log back in after dinner, but those two hours are sacred to me.
Do nice things in the mornings and evenings (work out, play an instrument if you do that, make dinner if you like cooking, go for walks, etc.). Otherwise, do stuff on the weekends and on vacation.
This is called being an adult.
Easy there, shooter—young OP is asking for advice about keeping life interesting, not seeking condescending remarks.
Once you get into the swing of things and become proficient at what you do you should hopefully see a little more time open up in your schedule, just make sure to set boundaries. You’re replaceable to the firm, gotta remember that. The early grind is necessary for experience and resume building. It sucks but it’s something most of us have to push through. If you’re truly unhappy with your current work-life balance talk to a mentor or some law school friends—see what they do. There’s always government jobs too, not great pay but about as close to a 40hr workweek as you can get.
Chief
Do what everyone else does. Any excuse to meet a friend/date/bartender for a drink once or twice a week after work. And then make sure at least one weekend day or evening counts. Counts being 4am drunken shenanigans, a 90 minute run followed by brunch with friends, or a day racing cars or motorcycles.
Why are you regularly working such long hours?
That’s their problem. They need to hire more people. If you’re bored and overworked, seems like it’s time to look for a new job. In the meantime, you need to be articulating that you don’t have the capacity to take on more work.
SAME! I'm a first year associate, one of two associates for four partners, and I work similar hours. I recommend separating your work and life.
- Take your FULL BREAKS- lunch, bathroom, etc. Take all of them- unapologetically.
- Find people to talk to OUTSIDE of the firm. (Other professionals, law school friends, etc)
- Don't focus on how much free time you "don't have." Look at the time you DO have and make the most of it.
- Make time for things that you like to do! Go out! Learn new things.
- Don't get involved in office drama- they're attorneys, they can figure it out.
First job?
Wait first job….ever??!?
You need a goal outside of work. If there is a skill you are interested in learning you should pursue it. You don’t need to be the best at it but you will slowly improve if you stick with it and your life will change. You don’t need to make money from it.
I’m a first year (soon to be second year). I experienced the same thing when I first started. I also noticed on weeks where I was able to truly work a 9-5, those extra few hours in the day don’t really make a difference as far as the monotony of working a M-F. Just something you have to adjust to over time. I’ve found being more intentional with my time on weekends helps.
The start is very tough. Mentally all 24 hours are devoted to the 10-12 working ones. You'll get into a rhythm after a while and enjoy the non-working hours more. Weekends and evenings are key. Whether you need calm relaxing ones or action packed adventure ones, you get used to them being your motivation (as sad as it is)
Work is monotonous. I hate to break it to you but so are marriage and kids and most daily life. That’s why we have the entertainment industry to help us through it.
I was happiest working 10am-midnight/1am with a gym break in the middle M-W and then tapering off into a 10-2 Thursday and Friday as work permitted.
I’ve been working in family law for several years and my best piece of advice is: Boundaries. You need time off from this type of work or it will drive you crazy. If you don’t absolutely need to work until 8pm, don’t. Take at least one day a week for yourself with no work stuff if possible. Use your vacation time. If you need more paralegal help, ask for it, and don’t be afraid to delegate.