By PATRICK S . MCARDLE , Esq . McArdle Law , P . A .
The problem of mental health
among solo practitioners is acute .
To talk about mental health for solo practitioners , I ’ d like to start with the raw numbers . The Florida Bar collects statistics on our profession ’ s mental health . Between 21 % and 36 % of lawyers qualify as problem drinkers . The highest rates are for ( 1 ) men , ( 2 ) lawyers under 30 , and ( 3 ) solo practitioners . About 27 % of lawyers report mild or higher depression symptoms . The highest rates are for ( 1 ) men and ( 2 ) solo practitioners . And about 23 % of lawyers have at least some problem stress symptoms . The highest rates are for women and , you guessed it , solo practitioners .
In 2019 , I opened my solo practice after years with a larger firm . While law practice stays the same in a solo practice , the job expands . Solo practice includes all the operations of a small business , on top of legal work . One day is hiring . The next day website development . Another day is bookkeeping . If you let it , this list expands to fill every minute of the day .
SOLO PRACTITIONERS
Three practices to fight mental health problems for stressed lawyers
Patrick S . Mcardle , Esq McArdle Law , P . A .
As all lawyers know , COVID-19 caused a new litany of concerns for all firms , with impacts more acute for smaller firms . For some firms , extreme financial stress ensued . For others , a metamorphosis of business operations to keep people safe emerged . All firms face increasing , ongoing challenges .
As many give life support to clients and colleagues , many fail to support themselves . So how do we tackle the constellation of mental health problems associated with a demanding profession ?
In my view , mental health is personal and idiosyncratic . And as various writers have noted , “ all advice is autobiography .” So rather than prescribe something universal , I ’ d like to share a few of my own ways to help fend off , or at least dull the sharpest edges of , mental health issues .
I focus on what I think of as dominos . I like the domino image , because if you hit a domino , a virtuous cycle ensues .
My first domino is exercise . Regular exercise cascades through life . It increases energy during the day , while it makes sleep at night easier . It allows for stress relief . And it improves mood and appearance . If Pfizer sold a vaccine that did all that , the most ardent anti-vaccinator would take it .
But as we all know , intellectually knowing these benefits does not guarantee exercise . If I don ’ t pay attention , then exercise slides down my priority list . The times I have stopped regular exercise are times when my mind generates excuses . I ’ m sure you ’ ve had the full litany appear in your mind , from “ I ’ m too tired ” to “ I don ’ t have time ” to “ I ’ m stressed ,” and many more . The more responsibilities you have , the easier the excuses are to generate . But they are excuses .
To combat these excuses , I make it as easy as possible to start exercising . For instance , I stage my gym clothes and shoes at the threshold of my door before going to bed . Also , I favor exercises I can do in any location , so that there are the fewest steps between myself and a workout .
I also write down when and where I will exercise in “ if-then ” form . For example , “ when I walk out my office door at 5 p . m ., I will drive to the gym .” Although
See MENTAL HEALTH , Page 17
FAREWELL TO 2020
Cheers to the good that found you , and the great that awaits !
By CAROLEEN BREJ , Esq . Bentley Law , P . A .
We made it ! It is an
understatement to say that
2020 was not what we were expecting . Even though only twelve months have passed since the last New Year ’ s Eve , it seems like we all aged another half-decade . I think it is fair to say that everyone is ready for 2020 to be over , and for 2021 to bring back that version of life that we all previously took for granted , which we will never take for granted again !
While we are all looking forward , we should also take the time to reflect on everything that we just accomplished . Although 2020 was quite a year , to say the least , some of us were also lucky enough to
Caroleen Brej , Esq . Bentley and Bruning , P . A . experience some unforgettable memories . Friends and families became closer while staying apart , sometimes thousands of miles apart . We welcomed new babies , watched a lot of Netflix , bought Pelotons , and adopted a lot of new puppies ! We learned to work at home , to workout at home , to get out of the house , to TikTok , to Zoom , to reconnect in new ways , and how to make sourdough ! ( Who remembers trying to find yeast in April !?)
If nothing else , this year we learned to appreciate the little things , to stop taking for granted that we will always have next time or next year with our families , and to put ourselves and our families first . This holiday season , I am grateful for my family and friends , my health , and my coworkers . We made it through
2020 and quarantine stronger than before .
While we cannot all physically be together , and our faces are covered with masks , the holidays are even more important than ever . This New Year ’ s Eve will not have the same parties , ball drops , glam , glitz , and festive cheer . But that should not stop us from celebrating all that we just accomplished ! And , of course what we are looking forward to doing in 2021 !
I recently came across a quote that was somewhat fitting for this retrospective piece : “ An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward . When life is dragging you backward with difficulties , it means it is going to launch you into something great . So just focus and keep aiming .” I cannot wait to see what 2021 brings !
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