Exhaustion. Avoidance. Feeling disengaged. Substance use. Chronic stress. Troubled relationships. Lack of Focus.

The above may be signs of burnout.

Sometimes stress and anxiety can become so pervasive that we wake up feeling a sense of doom before the day has even begun.  Or we may notice that problems, challenges or conflicts that arose at work follow us home and keep us distracted from our family and unable to wind down.  High stress professions often push us to our limits, and work-life balance seems an impossible task.  The challenge of performing well professionally and also being fully present for our spouse and children can be a seemingly impossible task, leaving us feeling as if we are not excelling in either domain.  Sometimes, you may need help figuring it all out.

Professionals such as lawyers are often high-achievers who have very high (sometimes impossibly high) standards for their performance. If we add to this the high-stakes professional culture that rewards working long hours, it is not surprising that lawyers are at risk of burnout as well as substance use and other mental health struggles. Some of the most successful lawyers are great at anticipating all worst possible outcomes in order to inform and protect clients, but when this perspective bleeds into our personal lives, it can skew our world view.

Stress can be a helpful motivator, but stress or anxiety shouldn't prevent you from enjoying your life.  Imagine being able to sit with your family at the dinner table, fully present, without the weight of the workday clamoring for your attention.  Accepting yourself with less judgment, less need for perfection, more compassion and kindness. 

If you are ready for change, email me or schedule an appointment so I can help.