To Those Who Are Miserable
Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 5:02 pm
I have been reading a lot about how miserable many of us are working in the law. From reading it on here, to reading the NYT article, a lot is going around lately showing just how horrible this profession can be for the wrong people. For many of us, it started in law school, mistakenly taking out massive loans for a profession we were not sure we would enjoy, with the hopes of building a better life for ourselves. Grinding through law school and the bar exam, getting the "golden ticket" of a nice law firm job, only to find out that this existence is meaningless and soul crushing. I think some people were meant to do this, or at least have an easier time finding it interesting, or finding the money worth it. But for those of us that don't find it easy, but are chained up due to financial considerations, I feel like the whole experience of law school - bar exam - law firm can really start to wear us down, make us become shells of our former selves. I know it has for me in some ways.
As someone that struggled in law school, yet still managed to be successful and land a top NYC firm, it was really an eye-opening experience to realize that I put in years of hard work, tons of time studying and networking and lots of money to be in a position where I am utterly miserable with my job. It seems like a lot of people feel the same way. I came across this post from a few years ago on Reddit this morning, looking for ways to feel good about where I'm at, and maybe gain some motivation to actually start caring if I loose this job or not. It did the opposite, it made me realize we don't really know how much time we have left and that doing something that makes you unhappy just for money is one of the saddest ways to live life. I know some people have family obligations, kids, a mortgage, and so they do this work for those things. I understand that people like that are stronger than I could probably ever be, since doing this job for the purpose of providing would make me lose my mind. However, for those of us still trying to figure it out, and those thinking of going to law school and taking on debt for the hope and prayer that you will like what you do, I wanted to post what I found as I sit here in my desk, waiting for yet another night to be ruined. I Hope this helps people on the fence about making some drastic choices and hope it makes people realize that at the end of the day, there are more important things than money in our short lives:
I am only 24 years old, yet I have actually already chosen my last tie. It’s the one that I will wear on my funeral a few months from now. It may not match my suit, but I think it’s perfect for the occasion. The cancer diagnosis came too late to give me at least a tenuous hope for a long life, but I realized that the most important thing about death is to ensure that you leave this world a little better than it was before you existed with your contributions . The way I’ve lived my life so far, my existence or more precisely the loss of it, will not matter because I have lived without doing anything impactful. Before, there were so many things that occupied my mind. When I learned how much time I had left, however, it became clear which things are really important. So, I am writing to you for a selfish reason. I want to give meaning to my life by sharing with you what I have realized:
Don’t waste your time on work that you don’t enjoy. It is obvious that you cannot succeed in something that you don’t like. Patience, passion, and dedication come easily only when you love what you do.
It’s stupid to be afraid of others’ opinions. Fear weakens and paralyzes you. If you let it, it can grow worse and worse every day until there is nothing left of you, but a shell of yourself. Listen to your inner voice and go with it. Some people may call you crazy, but some may even think you‘re a legend.
Take control of your life Take full responsibility for the things that happen to you. Limit bad habits and try to lead a healthier life. Find a sport that makes you happy. Most of all, don’t procrastinate. Let your life be shaped by decisions you made, not by the ones you didn’t.
Appreciate the people around you Your friends and relatives will always be an infinite source of strength and love. That is why you shouldn’t take them for granted. It is difficult for me to fully express my feelings about the importance of these simple realizations, but I hope that you will listen to someone who has experienced how valuable time is.
I'm not upset because I understand that the last days of my life have become meaningful. I only regret that I will not be able to see a lot of cool stuff that should happen soon like the creation of AI, or Elon Musk’s next awesome project. I also hope that the war in Syria and Ukraine will end soon. We care so much about the health and integrity of our body that until death, we don’t notice that the body is nothing more than a box - a parcel for delivering our personality, thoughts, beliefs and intentions to this world. If there is nothing in this box that can change the world, then it doesn’t matter if it disappears. I believe that we all have potential, but it also takes a lot of courage to realize it. You can float through a life created by circumstances, missing day after day, hour after hour. Or, you can fight for what you believe in and write the great story of your life. I hope you will make the right choice.
Leave a mark in this world. Have a meaningful life, whatever definition it has for you. Go towards it. The place we are leaving is a beautiful playground, where everything is possible. Yet, we are not here forever. Our life is a short spark in this beautiful little planet that flies with incredible speed to the endless darkness of the unknown universe. So, enjoy your time here with passion. Make it interesting. Make it count!
Thank you!
As someone that struggled in law school, yet still managed to be successful and land a top NYC firm, it was really an eye-opening experience to realize that I put in years of hard work, tons of time studying and networking and lots of money to be in a position where I am utterly miserable with my job. It seems like a lot of people feel the same way. I came across this post from a few years ago on Reddit this morning, looking for ways to feel good about where I'm at, and maybe gain some motivation to actually start caring if I loose this job or not. It did the opposite, it made me realize we don't really know how much time we have left and that doing something that makes you unhappy just for money is one of the saddest ways to live life. I know some people have family obligations, kids, a mortgage, and so they do this work for those things. I understand that people like that are stronger than I could probably ever be, since doing this job for the purpose of providing would make me lose my mind. However, for those of us still trying to figure it out, and those thinking of going to law school and taking on debt for the hope and prayer that you will like what you do, I wanted to post what I found as I sit here in my desk, waiting for yet another night to be ruined. I Hope this helps people on the fence about making some drastic choices and hope it makes people realize that at the end of the day, there are more important things than money in our short lives:
I am only 24 years old, yet I have actually already chosen my last tie. It’s the one that I will wear on my funeral a few months from now. It may not match my suit, but I think it’s perfect for the occasion. The cancer diagnosis came too late to give me at least a tenuous hope for a long life, but I realized that the most important thing about death is to ensure that you leave this world a little better than it was before you existed with your contributions . The way I’ve lived my life so far, my existence or more precisely the loss of it, will not matter because I have lived without doing anything impactful. Before, there were so many things that occupied my mind. When I learned how much time I had left, however, it became clear which things are really important. So, I am writing to you for a selfish reason. I want to give meaning to my life by sharing with you what I have realized:
Don’t waste your time on work that you don’t enjoy. It is obvious that you cannot succeed in something that you don’t like. Patience, passion, and dedication come easily only when you love what you do.
It’s stupid to be afraid of others’ opinions. Fear weakens and paralyzes you. If you let it, it can grow worse and worse every day until there is nothing left of you, but a shell of yourself. Listen to your inner voice and go with it. Some people may call you crazy, but some may even think you‘re a legend.
Take control of your life Take full responsibility for the things that happen to you. Limit bad habits and try to lead a healthier life. Find a sport that makes you happy. Most of all, don’t procrastinate. Let your life be shaped by decisions you made, not by the ones you didn’t.
Appreciate the people around you Your friends and relatives will always be an infinite source of strength and love. That is why you shouldn’t take them for granted. It is difficult for me to fully express my feelings about the importance of these simple realizations, but I hope that you will listen to someone who has experienced how valuable time is.
I'm not upset because I understand that the last days of my life have become meaningful. I only regret that I will not be able to see a lot of cool stuff that should happen soon like the creation of AI, or Elon Musk’s next awesome project. I also hope that the war in Syria and Ukraine will end soon. We care so much about the health and integrity of our body that until death, we don’t notice that the body is nothing more than a box - a parcel for delivering our personality, thoughts, beliefs and intentions to this world. If there is nothing in this box that can change the world, then it doesn’t matter if it disappears. I believe that we all have potential, but it also takes a lot of courage to realize it. You can float through a life created by circumstances, missing day after day, hour after hour. Or, you can fight for what you believe in and write the great story of your life. I hope you will make the right choice.
Leave a mark in this world. Have a meaningful life, whatever definition it has for you. Go towards it. The place we are leaving is a beautiful playground, where everything is possible. Yet, we are not here forever. Our life is a short spark in this beautiful little planet that flies with incredible speed to the endless darkness of the unknown universe. So, enjoy your time here with passion. Make it interesting. Make it count!
Thank you!