Balancing Life and Law Dreams
As a young person determined to pursue a career in law, few things are more daunting than staring down the next three years, packed with intense classes, long nights, and what feels like endless stress. And beyond that? Decades of work in a demanding profession. It's overwhelming to even think about the future outside of your career. What about life? How am I going to balance everything and still be happy?
That's a question I've been thinking about a lot lately—and I think I'm beginning to find some answers.
Prioritize a Routine
The first step in facing each day is knowing what lies ahead. Starting without a plan makes it almost impossible to feel grounded. For me, a structured routine is everything. My calendar is full of time stamps, headings, and bullet points. Each week, I map out what needs to get done, it can be schoolwork, job tasks, and everything in between, and assign each task to a specific day.
But the most important part of my schedule? The non-negotiable time I carve out for myself. Whether it's a walk, a workout, dinner with my sister or friends, a shower, or a moment with a TV show or book, I give myself time to breathe. The execution isn't always perfect, and that's okay. What matters is the intention. This is a habit I plan to take with me into law school and beyond.
Make Health Decisions
One of the toughest things I've had to learn as an adult is how to prioritize my health. I think it is increasingly important to have a good diet, enough exercise, and mental health moments. I meal prep every week (the quality of the meal is debatable), and I make sure that I always have a good book in rotation or a craft that is mentally stimulating for my downtime. Of course, none of this is easy. It's incredibly tempting to let healthy habits slip when life gets hectic. But in the legal field, time will always be a limited resource, and probably my biggest challenge. That's why I'm building these habits now, in hopes they'll carry me through the more difficult seasons to come.
Prioritize Things You Are Passionate About
Though I plan to pursue a career in corporate law, I would not say that is exactly what I am most passionate about. Criminal Justice is what I am truly passionate about, so I plan to make space for that in my future legal career. In school, I will do related pro bono work or be involved in clinics and organizations related to justice. Being a part of things you love will encourage you to continue searching for what brought you to law in the first place. Burnout is real. Staying connected to what initially inspired you to pursue law is a powerful antidote.
Plan For Your Future
Allow yourself to think about what your future holds and your next steps in life. Dream about what comes next in your career, or the potential heights you want to reach, or the people you want to meet. Think about your personal life, who will you live with, your friends, your family, what kind of home do you want to create? Take time to plan travel and give yourself a chance to look beyond your everyday. Though it sounds impossible in execution, it's easy enough to dream.
Pets (Seriously!)
Last but certainly not least, get a pet. It doesn't have to be a dog (though that's my plan); it could be a fish, a lizard, or even a snail. The point is, animals bring joy, companionship, and a sense of purpose. A dog, for example, gets you moving, outside, and caring for something beyond school or work. They're little emotional anchors, and I truly believe everyone should have one.
This is mine 🙂
Balancing life and law school or a law career won't be easy. But with intentional habits, a strong support system, and moments of joy, maybe it doesn't have to be as hard as it looks.
