COMMUNITY
Rather than letting another year pass without change , I challenge you to dismiss the idea that change can only occur on these designated occasions . Instead , try to see the opportunity to begin anew each day . Although Spring is the perfect season to channel new beginnings and form new habits , this can be done at any time .
Before starting law school , I was a writer . I have a collection of nonfiction essays that I carefully crafted as an MFA student that I promised I would return to as soon as I could to turn them into the book they deserve to become . For better or worse , law school shut off the creative part of my brain . Those flashes of inspiration that used to strike me so often that I never left home without a journal simply did not happen during those three years . I figured that once I was a practicing attorney , my creative impulses would return as I had more consistent free time .
I quickly discovered that navigating a full-time job with unpredictable hours and managing my other obligations did not leave nearly enough time for writing as I imagined , so I did not write . Before I knew it , a couple more years had passed , and I still had not dedicated any time to this important goal of mine . I wondered how much longer I could think of myself as a writer without making time to write .
To be a successful writer , you should be an avid reader , so I began incorporating reading into my work schedule . Like the journal I used to carry with me , I began carrying a book in my purse everywhere I went . During my lunch break , I would head outside and read while I walked . By incorporating this small habit , I was able to read many books for pleasure : a hobby that was nearly nonexistent while I was in law school . Still , no matter how much I read , I never felt quite ready to make the jump from reader to writer . I felt that if I did not have a significant amount of time to dedicate to the craft , it was pointless to dedicate any time at all .
Each year , I would set a New Year ’ s resolution for the number of books I would read that year , and I would also always include the more elusive goal of starting to write again . Each year , the reading came much easier than the writing . When COVID-19 hit , I began delving into the concept of wellness . The need for “ self-care ” and “ work-life balance ” are impressed upon us as attorneys , but these terms mean something different to everyone and look different in practice from one person to the next . Beyond that , the concept of wellness is so broad and amorphous that it is difficult to know which advice to heed and which to incorporate into daily life . In learning about wellness , I noticed that the idea of treating each day as a fresh start was a popular concept , as was the power of habit setting . The key , however , is to not carry the regrets of the previous day with you into the next day and to treat each day as a new opportunity . just dive in and incorporate writing as part of my daily routine when I can . I realized that there is no perfect moment or ideal amount of time to start this habit , and if I waited for them , they would never come and the only thing that would pass is time . For me , incorporating writing into my daily life means waking up a few minutes earlier to allow some quiet time to write if the inspiration strikes . I now have a dedicated corner of my living room with nature views and a small side table large enough for my journal ( and a large cup of coffee ) to write . Some mornings , I start writing immediately and find it difficult to stop . Other mornings , I look at prompts to jog my thoughts or start journaling about the week until a memory comes to me . Other times , it just does not feel right , and I pick up a book instead or do something else with that time that will set my day up for success . With this mindset , I know there is always tomorrow to accomplish more writing , but the key is to try my best to incorporate the habit each day without forcing it . I have also started carrying a journal with me again and have been pleased to find that those flashes of story inspiration that I thought were long gone have returned . It feels good to devote time to a creative hobby that I enjoy even if it is no longer my full-time pursuit .
As most of us finally begin to return to the office full-time for the first time in years , reframing our mindset about new beginnings and realizing we can create those beginnings on a smaller scale is crucial to overall wellness . I keep a checklist on my phone with all the activities I aim to incorporate as self-care into each day . The list includes activities like reading , writing , going for a walk , stretching , repeating affirmations , and doing breathwork exercises . Each day , I check off the activities I can get to before starting fresh the next morning . I aim to complete most of them , but never stress myself out trying to complete the entire list .
Consider taking inventory of those activities that you used to enjoy as a kid that you may not have even thought about in years . Did you like rollerblading ? Keep an eye out for used rollerblades in a local marketplace and head to the Beltline one weekend to practice . Did you vow to take advantage of the beautiful hiking trails that Georgia has to offer but now only go outside to check the mail ? Join the Atlanta Bar Wellness Committee for one of its monthly hikes and get outside . Did you used to enjoy singing or songwriting ? Hire a vocal coach for a lesson or two each month , go out and sing karaoke , or attend an open mic night . Once you know what those activities are that would give your life more purpose , you can work toward setting small goals or habits to incorporate them more often . By doing so , you can craft a life that reinvigorates you daily rather than waiting for the next year or next season to make a change . As one of my favorite affirmations says , “ I live the life I want instead of dreaming of the life I intend to live one day .” Get out there and live it .
This year , after New Year ’ s Day had come and gone , I decided to www . atlantabar . org THE ATLANTA LAWYER 31