While in law school I was an avid kickboxer, I would make time to kickbox at least three times a week and would also attend local competitions. I still distinctly remember visiting my CivPro professor during office hours at the University of Miami Law School (Go Canes!) and him being very impressed that I had a hobby and a passion for something outside of law school. Back then I did not think balancing my hobby with law school was something unique or idealistic, but as the years went by, I realized how quickly our jobs can take over our lives.
The Florida Bar lists statistics on its Health and Wellness Center webpage that clearly shows most of us are not doing a great job of balancing our work with our life. Nearly 30% of attorneys in Florida reported as having mild or high depression, with 20% reporting as having mild or high anxiety and 23% reporting as having mild or high stress levels. Over the years these numbers have not really changed, even with advances in technology, the majority of attorneys are still feeling overwhelmed. A key to combatting these negative outcomes is to prioritize yourself and find a work/life balance that works for you, and finding a hobby is one of the best ways to do this!
Your hobby does not have to be something strenuous like kickboxing, or time consuming like training for marathons, but it should be something that takes your mind off your work, allows you to fully focus on the task at hand and is easily accessible. Any barriers that make your hobby difficult to pursue may dissuade you from participating in this important habit, so it is key to find a hobby that works with your lifestyle and is something you can easily and consistently participate in.
I recently came across a blog post by Danielle Moss, How to Find a Hobby When You Are an Adult that provides some good insight on how to find a hobby as an adult. Some of her suggestions include taking local classes and workshops and getting out of comfort zone by joining local groups like pickeball clubs or running clubs. She also has a great list of hobbies, some of which may spark your interest like learning a new language or even learning how to mediate.
Before I started my most recent role as Global Counsel of Aspire Lifestyles, a recruiter gave me some advice, he said, “Read this book and make mediation your new hobby”. At his suggestion, I invested significant time in reading and following the homework directions of “The Anxious Lawyer, An 8-Week Guide to a Joyful and Satisfying Law Practice Through Mindfulness and Mediation” and it has really changed my perspective on my daily work habits and my approach towards stress triggers both in life and in my profession. I encourage all of you to go out and find a hobby that works for you, whether that involves dusting off your old tennis racquet or joining a new book club, take the next step before the new year and promise yourself that you will carve out time for YOU!
About the Author
Diana Ballou is Global Counsel for Aspire Lifestyles and is based in Boca Raton, Florida. She has more than two decades of experience in law, having held associate and litigation counsel roles previously. Her academic credentials include a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.