divine angst

TP asks how I plan to keep my sanity 1L.

Right now, I’m not really sure. Not having yet gone through 1L, I can’t say with any certainty what things will work and what things won’t. In general, I cope with stressful situations in a couple of ways—I nest (start baking, making up recipes, rearranging furniture or tinkering around the house) or I burrow (hide in my room and read books, watch sappy movies, drink). The first of those methods is probably the more healthy approach; the latter is somehow more satisfying. I can see myself falling into either of them during 1L if things get particularly hairy.

But I’m hoping to stave off any stress breakdown by keeping organized. I’ve worked an 8-5 job for the last 6 years, so I think I’ll try treating law school the same way: get to campus early, study and do my work while I’m there, and then, when I get home, spend the evenings with my husband. He’ll be in class at least two nights a week, so those can be my stay-on-campus-late days, if I need them (and I think I will later in the semester). I want to have Saturdays or Sundays free, so we can explore the city, see movies, continue our culinary experiments (I like to try out new recipes on the weekend), and generally spend quality time together. I think if we can manage that, my sanity will be safe. Mr. Angst keeps me sane, really, so we’ll HAVE to manage it!

Other ways I hope to keep my sanity? Staying in touch with non-law-school friends. Finding a little time to watch a favorite TV show each week. Squeezing in a reread of a favorite book. Flipping through trashy magazines at Barnes & Noble. A well-balanced life = sanity, so that means trying to do other things besides law school for at least a few hours a week. Maybe I’ll join a choir, if I can find one without onerous rehearsal requirements. I think Mr. Angst and I will try to continue practicing Aikido, and that can be a nice outlet, too.

What do the other 0Ls out there think?

I just used my first customer service chat—you know, the “chat online now with one of our customer service representatives”?

Very excellent. Every company should have one of these. So much better than calling, waiting on hold, then sitting around while the rep looks up the information you need.

Why do drivers of giant pickup trucks like to ride my little red bumper? Every time I get on the highway, some idiot in a 20-ton diesel truck with 4-foot wheels comes crawling up on my butt. Look, you’re bigger than me! Your vehicle probably (probably? definitely!) has more get-up-and-go power than mine. So GO AROUND ME.

With that little rant, I have exhausted my stockpile of post ideas for the day. Therefore, I’m announcing an ALL REQUEST WEEK. Yes, that’s right folks, I’ll be here ALL WEEK and I’ll be TAKING YOUR REQUESTS.

What do you want to know about me? Or what do you want me to make up about the world? How can I help you and would you like fries with that? Email or comment your requests and I’ll take ‘em on.