Why hobbies are so important in the legal profession

It is a story heard all to often in the legal profession: a judge reaches the age limit to serve on the bench in Iowa take on "senior" status, a law firm partner practicing well into the acceptable years for retirement, a rural lawyer never actually closes their law practice but continues practicing until they physically cannot. Basically, many lawyers do not know how to retire! After being part of a conversation surrounding this topic, I went home and had a conversation with my kids on the importance of having hobbies. Why are hobbies important? The answer gets really clear around retirement age: if you do not have activities you enjoy and do regularly, what are you going to do when you stop working full-time? Even for practicing lawyers, escaping professional obligations and carving time in to your personal life for hobbies can be part of your well-being practice. So what am I asking you to do? Take a few minutes to simply list all of your current hobbies and interests. For example, your list may include reading historical fiction books, photography, gardening, bicycle riding, baking, etc. Take a minute to review your list of hobbies. If you wish, start a list of hobbies that you currently do not participate in but would like to begin. When you find yourself needing a break or treading the line of burnout, you may find it helpful to refer to your list of hobbies or potential hobbies and make time for you to engage in an activity that gets your mind off the law, profession, business responsibilities, or other stressors and do something to improve your well-being and confidence as an individual.