Reminder to everyone: use your 2021 vacation time. Don’t let it pass you by just because you’re not traveling. Take a long weekend once a month to nap and eat chips in sweat pants all day. We all need to do our part to normalize self care, and sitting at home doing “nothing” is just as worthy of a vacation day as pina coladas on the beach.

Did you do the NIPT? I just had my first prenatal appt and they scheduled me for the NIPT at 10 weeks. I’m a little nervous and anxious. Did anyone get it and got a false positive? Do you not recommend it? I wish I could ask family but we’re not telling anyone until the 12 weeks mark.

Abused and isolated as a kid. I have terrible memory. Like I don’t really remember the past few months except in broad strokes and memories of my childhood are more non existent than existent. I’m working through this with my therapist. Does anyone have any experience with emotional and memory repression? Curious on your advice

Unpopular opinion on flattening the curve: ok we all know we need to extend the tail at the end... how bout that tail at the beginning? I mean I'm in a midwest city where cases are hardly [cont]

How many PTO/Vacation days do you usually take off a year if your employer offers unlimited PTO/Vacation days?

I just started a new job and this is the first time I’ve ran into this. It sounds nice but at the same time I hate the lack of direction. Help!

This couldn’t be more timely as I’m sitting in the waiting room after just being diagnosed 😆 welcoming tips for adjusting to Adderall!

Anyone else find themselves getting extremely stressed at work during pregnancy? It’s like my emotions are just off and I get so stressed so easily. I want to be calm for baby but it’s hard to not get worked up!

How has your work been affected by COVID-19? I’m a regulatory and transactional attorney at an AmLaw 100 firm. Everyone has been telling me that health care will be fine (continued in comments)

Hill holiday and Arnold: heard massive layoffs at both places. Is everyone ok?

New to Seattle.
Does anyone know any good locations to host a holiday party for 20-25 people? All adults mostly.

Is it true that AFS doesn’t allow people to start with a positive PTO balance?

Since we returned to office in October, is it appropriate to give holiday gifts to team members?

We are all sleep walkers (specifically in Europe) walking towards the second wave of corona virus cases and potential lock-downs even though we should all know better.
Change my mind!

Has anyone ever experienced a sharp stabbing pain on the left side of your chest (under breast) that lasts for a few seconds and goes away?

Could this be a type of heartburn?

I’ve been to the doctor and she didn’t think I should be too worried because I’m young and healthy and it doesn’t hurt to the touch, but still can’t figure out what it is.

Best advice for a new therapist? Or something you wish you learned at the beginning of your career?

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.

Ive been using botox fairly consistently for 10 yrs and m happy with the results. However, for financial reasons Im thinking of taking a break for 12 months to save the extra money.

Will stopping botox for 12 moths undo all the progress I've made? (I am afraid of rapidly aging like the Nazi from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - nightmare fule).

Also, any adfordable akincare products I should use during the 12 months?

Ordered a shroom grow kit and two kinds of spores. I've never taken them and always wanted to. Let's see if they do anything to rewire the brain like some people say!

So really the only exercise I can tolerate is boxing, and those exercises around it. Any thoughts on replicating what I can find at my local boxing gym while on the road?

Seeking advice either from anyone already working for US GOV or any advice on how to get into it. I’m interested in working for IRS or Veterans with pm work. Any advice?

I also want to help my dad get into a permanent GOV role before he needs to retire, he’s been rejected by gov roles and can only work travel roles with fema, I don’t want him traveling as he’s getting too old and I just lost my mom a year ago. Any help would be appreciated!

40 weeks pregnant and terrified to be induced. Any tips on how to manage the stress and pain? I’m getting an epidural but still very nervous.

When you knee-jerk to "love you!" as you're wrapping up a call with a coworker

🤦‍♂️

Love that in true form I chose the 1 red meme stock. 😂💎💎💎

I have a question for associates, what would help you the most in your job right now? It could be technical, communication, training, mental health. What are you biggest problems and struggles?

Ive accepted an offer going from a SM role to M role at EY in the CCas team , London office. Can anyone confirm how often one needs to come into the office, as my commute is from Hampshire . In my current role I rarely go to the office, i.e once every few months (also in London) and am considering backing out due to the additional commuting cost and less flexible work life balance.

Will the market drop tomorrow?

Hello to all b4 🐠 - what's your view on the cultural differences between b4 in Australia? Feel free to put down a ranking to your best knowledge, anecdotal or not. Thanks!

Thoughts on Ogilvy Chicago?

Leo loses Allstate to Droga. I know this was a long time coming, but it’s yet another big loss for Chicago.

Hi folks
Can someone refer me to a role at Unacademy? Shoot me a DM if you want to help a brother out!

I am currently working as a telecom consultant. What should I be learning if I want to get better job opportunities in better companies.

I have 315k Marriott Bonvoy points and a couple of free nights in addition. What is the best bang for my buck in terms of locations / experiences I could get? I am super flexible on timing and location, just want the best experience. Any thoughts?

Hi Fellow Fishies,

I am reaching out because I was recently contacted to interview for Cigna Provider Engagement Development Program. I wanted to see if I could connect with anyone on here that I can help give a breakdown of what this program entails, day-to-day, and WLB. Any tips on the interview and interview process for anyone working in this position? I would be truly grateful for any help or information that can be provided!

Cigna

Has anyone heard of Incline Partners, MM exPNC PE based in PA. Recruiter reached out on LinkedIn.

Question since I’m newer to the game.

If I set my island up in the northern hemisphere, and then went to an island in the southern, would I catch different fish/insects? Does anyone know?

I have no idea what to do on rainy days like this lol. Watching movies and drinks is all I can think of

What do you do with an incompetent manager? You go the extra mile and fix everything and make stuff look good, they get the credit. You do a good job and project goes south, they start blaming you for not delivering (even you delivered)

I'm seeking a transition from a high-growth Tech Scale-up to VC or PE. I'm armed with two years of Product Manager and, before that, 1 year in MBB; plus I've tackled extensive commercial due-diligence for targets anywhere from $50M - $500M - any idea to make this ambition a reality? Grateful for all advice.

Does anyone know how is tech mahindra’s telefonica client
Have offers from techm dassault ststem and cognizant.

What did y’all actually want to be when you grew up?

When I was going into courtrooms, a bad night of sleep didn’t matter-I’d snap to attention as soon as I got into court. I’m doing phone hearings now and the focus isn’t there as much. Any ideas?

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.

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.

If you’re reading this, go drink some water!

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.

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

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.

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.

Choose to be happy today

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

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”?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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?

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.

How do i direct message someone