Every Monday I post Real Life Minimalists, a profile of one of my readers in their own words. If you’d like to participate, click here for details.
This week, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to LM. She gave up her high-stress, 80-hour week job at a top law firm to pursue her career on her own terms, and tells us how minimalism helped her make the transition.
LM writes:
I am a lawyer. I graduated from a top-10 law school and got a job at a top-10 law firm – the kind that most new grads only dream about. Many people these days graduate from law school and end up unemployed with a six-figure debt. I was one of the “lucky” ones. I was earning a six-figure salary, I was living in a nice (rented) house, and I could buy anything I wanted.
The work was very stressful and very intense. I was working 80-hour weeks on a regular basis. And gradually, I realized that this six-figure salary came at the cost of my health. Every time I worked another 80-hour week and earned a nice sum of money, my health got a bit worse. I was constantly exhausted. I got colds and couldn’t recover from them. The only thing I ever wanted during that time was sleep.
At some point, I realized that I was killing myself, and killing myself for the ability to buy things I did not need and didn’t even want very much. I also noticed that the firm actively encouraged its junior associates to adopt a very luxurious lifestyle – expensive restaurants, expensive cars, expensive homes – to keep us trapped in that awful job. As the 80-hour weeks went on, I started resenting that more and more. Eventually, I decided to leave the firm to start my own law practice.
When I was preparing to start my own business, I thought very carefully about how I could reduce my financial needs to the barest possible minimum, since I knew that money was going to be tight. It felt liberating to do that. The fewer financial needs I had, the less I had to work, and the more months of freedom I could enjoy.
I now live in a 100 sq.ft. apartment. My bed is a futon that doubles as a couch during the day. I have no debt other than my student loans. Since my financial needs are so low, I can afford to support myself as a part-time lawyer and a part-time musician. The freedom I’ve gained by adopting a minimalist lifestyle is priceless.
{If you’d like to learn more about minimalist living, please consider reading my book, The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide, or subscribing to my RSS feed.}
LM, I really liked your ability to see the situation for what it really was and was able to act upon it! So glad you’re leading a happier life now. It is really inspiring and makes me want to find my dreams asap so I can go out there and do exactly what I want.
this was wonderful to read.
my sister is an attorney and she too, attended one of the top 10 law schools and married a classmate (they are now divorced), went on to work for one of CA’s most prestigious law firms etc. over the years i’ve watched her stressed, irritable and sad —
i don’t think i’ve had a meaningful conversation with her for the past decade or so and this makes me want to weep.
anyhow, i live in Tokyo where 100 sq. feet apartments are, if not the norm, then definitely very common. if i’m not being too nosy, would love to know how you made the transition from the high-powered, 80-hour week lawyer abode to 100 square feet. my sister lives in a mansion with a new husband and four children and she says she will never come back to Japan mainly because of the lack of living space.
thank you for an inspiring post — i’m always fascinated and emboldened by people who choose freedom above all other
human privileges.
Aw, thanks! The transition was actually pretty painless. I sold or gave away most of my stuff to prepare for the move. The apartment is too small to accommodate both a bed and a piano, so I sold my queen-size bed (yup – I’ve got my priorities straight). I also sold or gave away all of the other furniture except for a few things, and gave away most of my books and CD’s.
The apartment as it is right now contains a futon, a piano, a standing desk (no room for a regular desk + chair, plus standing desks are healthier), and a little three-drawer thing on wheels. The piano bench doubles as my dining table; the three-drawer thing doubles as my nightstand, the futon is both a couch and a bed, and the standing desk comes apart to provide extra table space for when I have visitors. It works surprisingly well. I even had a houseguest for a couple of days.
I have yet to feel inconvenienced by the size of this space. The only thing I don’t like about it is that it really is very awkward to host houseguests here. I liked having visitors in my 2-bedroom house; it’s much harder to have visitors in 100 sq.ft. Still – as mentioned above – it’s not impossible, if the visitors in question are understanding, tolerant, and compact.
hi LM –
wow a standing desk!
absolutely brilliant.
i’ve been reading about the “sitting disease” and how long hours
in a chair can mess up not just the body but stress out the mind.
i hate sitting long hours in cars and on planes for just that reason –
and the thought of seat belts (which recall medieval torture instruments, but
i’m weird that way) always fill me with a mild sense of panic.
love it also that your house guests are compact. smile, smile!
thanks so much for the response and very best wishes on your journey.
Wow LM… it is a very bold decision to leave all the luxuries. Your story is really very inspiring.
Good Luck.
Don’t know what 100 sq feet is, I live in a bedsit that’s 45 sq metres, that’s smaller, no?
But anyway, very inspiring story. Much more interesting to read than The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.
Good on yer to make that change!
@mrs Brady Old Lady. 100 sq feet is is about 9 sq meters. Basically, it’s just a room! I’ve just started reading minimalist blogs and I can see it’s going to be a very long way from hoarder to minimalist. :-) I doubt I’ll ever reach 100 sq ft though!
Blimey! RESPECT! I started life in 25 sq metres (including kitchen bathroom and toilet) and thought that was small!
Good for you!! Nothing is better than working for yourself! And really, no one should ever work 80 hour weeks (except moms & dads who have no choice). I hope your health is increasing too. :)
Thanks! And yes – my health is fine now. I got out before any permanent damage was done (whew!)
I don’t think anyone should ever work more than 40 hours a week. I certainly don’t anymore.
It sounds like you’ve truly done the soul-searching required to sustain your minimalist lifestyle. I wish you the very best in all of your endeavors.
Last week, I read the first part of a series on obesity on The Lancet website. I thought of all minimalists when I read this: “. . . Economic growth is especially important for low-income countries to move them from poverty to economic prosperity; however, for high-income countries, higher levels of GDP do not bring greater happiness and wellbeing for their citizens but do bring greater consumption of all products. The technological changes that are creating cheaper and more available food calories and the strong economic forces driving consumption will inevitably lead to overconsumption and obesity.”
Of course, the statement “higher levels of GDP do not bring greater happiness and wellbeing for their citizens but do bring greater consumption of all products” was especially meaningful. I had not really considered the consumption/health correlation in minimalism, but this study did and L.M. recognized it right away. Thank you, L.M. for reminding me of this and reinforcing this concept.
Your story makes me so happy inside. You did it! You have achieved a far greater level of success by changing and simplifying. Thank you so much for sharing with us. ^_^
LM, it is so lovely to read your story! Well done on embracing minimalism and reclaiming your life. I’m sure many more wish they could do the same, but lack the courage or believe it is too late and that they are too tightly bound up with debt etc.
LM thank you so much for your post if only those of us in the medical field could learn! So many times people in the medical field rack up debt and not only do they suffer so do the patients because the workers are so stressed out they can’t focus.
What a delicious story! It SO matches my own beliefs!
VERY inspiring, indeed!
Not to knock the author’s choice in pursuing a law degree, but my take is that there are enough attorneys in the United States. Why not, if one were to insist upon law, take the road less traveled? The author just proved this can be done.
Happier days seem to be here for LM!
The reason I pursued a law degree was to have my own practice. I was self-employed prior to law school, and really loved it. The big firm life was part of the journey, and I am glad I did that – it gave me a very clear idea of what I did NOT want.
What an awesome and liberating story! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your story. I work for a not for profit and am blessed to have a boss who tells us NOT to work more than 40 hrs/week.
However, I know people who work at for profits who are encouraged or told to work as long as necessary to finish projects…even to come in on weekends or work from home at all hours…as a salaried employee and non union shops, there is no overtime and no compensation except declining health – mental, physical, emotional.
LM,
Thanks for sharing. I’m currently a law student, who has recently been getting into minimalism, and through the process of interviewing I have come to realize what kind of life I will probably end up leading.
It would be a bold step to do what you do! But your story is something that I will definitely keep in mind.
Annie, I do recommend working for a firm for a while, just to gain some experience and skills. Law school doesn’t teach you everything you need to know as a practicing attorney, as I’m sure you’ve noticed. But be prepared – it will not be an easy time.
LM, you made a wise choice. My sister was very much like you, working long hours at a very intense job. She didn’t give it up until she ended up in the hospital. You are one of the lucky ones.
I’m sorry to hear about your sister. The reason I left was because I knew two people at my firm who ended up with serious health problems because of that work. Health is irreplaceable. I’d rather live in 100 sq.ft. and pinch pennies than deal with the kind of health problems these people have.
It is so nice to read your story. I am not an attorney, but did have a “great” job where I was working 80+ hours a week as well. I was damaging my health, physically and mentally and eventually had to walk away. Bravo to you for changing and creating a life that works for you. I am now in the process of doing the same.
Thanks for sharing!
Bernice
Everyday wisdom
LM: thanks for sharing your story! It reminded me of my son who has recently moved to Bali. He was in Alaska working in the oil fields. For two years, he worked 7 days a week 12 hour days with a couple of days off every couple of months. He would easily do 60 days of work straight. The guys he worked with kept asking what he was going to buy with all that money. He always answered, “Nothing.” He stashed all his money in the bank. In May, he moved to Bali and this week he is taking his final exam to be a scuba instructor. It’s been interesting because he goes to help/volunteer at the dive shop every single day even when he’s not in class. He is spending at least 12 hours a day on boats, swimming, or helping in the shop for no pay. I said, “Isn’t it weird that you are still ‘working’ seven days a week/12 hour days, but it doesn’t seem so exhausting?” He said, “Yes, and I can’t wait to get up every morning because I know that I get to go swim in the ocean!” He’ll be 23 in September, and I’m so proud that he has his priorities straight right now. Wish I would have when I was that age, but I’m learning from him.
That is what I call living the life!
Thanks for sharing LM, well done you! Some other really great stories here too, thank you for inspiring me!
We’re about to embark on a big life change for many of the same reasons. While we may seem to have a good work/life balance at the moment, I work 17 hours, my DH works 40 (and no overtime ever), we’re pushing for an even smaller working week. We’re moving to China where we’ll each work about 16 hours and have all the rest of our time to play with our 2 sons, travel, learn, home educate…I can’t wait :) We won’t make any money but will have enough to live on and that’s all we need.
Hi Ailsa
we are about to do the same with our kids ( but to elsewhere in Asia) Do you have a blog?
Very cool – and I’m glad you didn’t end up hating practicing law after all that hard work!
Very timely and applicable in more ways than the law field. I’ve been in the same job for 9 years and am paid hourly. I see the salaried managers, all who started with me, work overtime with no pay, never have time to spend with their families and stressed out to the max…all for the glory of power, control and money. I’ve stayed below that levle because it’s freeing and more peaceful to just show up, do my job, go home and know I’ve got time and energy to do what really matters to me in life. For instance, I’m finishing up my last vacation day Friday after having every Friday off in the summer through June, July, and August. I got to totally enjoy summer in beautiful Michigan with three day weekends and feel I was working part time. It’s all about choices isn’t it? I may be low on the ladder but there is no doubt I am happier.
I agree. I quickly worked up the management ladder at my last job, but because the company was struggling, it was HORRIBLE. I got paid nothing to carry all the stress of upper management and yell at the little people for not doing ‘enough.’ We’re taught that you have to move up to be successful, but if I ever worked in that field again, I would refuse to be promoted and stay at the bottom where less of the responsibility was on my shoulders, and I could just enjoy helping the customers.
I really enjoyed your post. You made some terrific changes that obviously have benefitted you in an amazing way. Super well done x
Awesome LM. What a brave individual you are for turning your back on that. You’d made it to the top and then walked away. It reminds me of a book I read once years ago, Hope for the Flowers.
I’d be interested to hear how the firm took the change. You mentioned opening your own practice, was your other firm unwilling to consider shortening your hours?
Tanja – there wasn’t even any question of that. I was at a very prestigious firm; like any prestigious, high-status employer, they can do whatever they want to their employees. If I tried to negotiate with them about shortening my hours, they would have fired me; there are plenty of unemployed lawyers who would give an arm and a leg to take my place. In fact, I was considered a relative slacker because I wouldn’t pull all-nighters. I stayed in that insanity for as long as I could stand it; when my health began to suffer, I started working on my exit plan. The moment I got my first client, I gave notice.
WOW, LM, your story is very inspiring!
“I also noticed that the firm actively encouraged its junior associates to adopt a very luxurious lifestyle – expensive restaurants, expensive cars, expensive homes – to keep us trapped in that awful job.” My niece is a young attorney at a large firm in Washington D.C. and she is also being encouraged in the lavish lifestyle. She doesn’t seem to notice how much she is trading away — her health, her peace of mind, I even think a little bit of her soul. I’m happy for you that you have found what really matters to you, and that you had the courage to make such amazing life changes. Best wishes for a wonderful REAL life!
LM, when I read your story, 2 things immediately popped into my head. 1.your story is the basis for the new Barbara Delinsky novel Escape and 2. In Baby Boom (yes, I know that movie goes back quite a ways) when Diane Keaton’s character decides to leave her high power ad exec position, she says ‘the ratrace is going to have to made do with 1 less rat.’ Enjoy your newfound life!
I really needed to read this right now. I just left my job and am starting a new (hopefully) lower stress career.
I am still adjusting- glad to hear you could make it work!
I am so lucky I never had to work like that except my first 5 months out of college. After that, I took a civil service test and my only mistake was getting into management. I should have stayed at the entry level job where I was happy. I like going to work, doing my job, and going home at the same time every day. No one should have to hate their job or get sick every Sunday evening at the thought of going in the next day. Luckily, I took early retirement and we live on very little. I learned never to “stock up” because a woman I knew had a husband who did and when she moved all his hoard became extra weight she had to move.
I have never been interested in status or the latest style. I’ve never bought expensive anything or eaten in fine restaurants. When our kids were young we took long car trips and saw a lot of the US. Lately, we’ve been taking European vacations or going on a cruise. Life is too short to worry about impressing the neighbors.
I was talking to a friend about the latest cruise and how my DH and I take only a carry on suitcase and a tote bag each. She said what about dressing for dinner? I said I bring black slacks and a cardigan and don’t wear a T shirt. We also get a very small cabin because we are not in our cabin most of the time. We have been to Alaska, around the Mediterranean, to the Greek islands, to Spain, Italy and Portugal and up the east coast into Canada. She gets a big cabin with a balcony and brings 2 big suitcases. We know most Europeans don’t bring as much stuff as Americans bring.
We just came back from our second trip to Israel. We shared a house with some other relatives. Again we travelled with very little so we could walk or take public transportation. Most people in the world have much smaller cars than in the US. Gasoline is sold by the liter. If we were younger we would just take a big tote bag each.
I continue to reduce the number of items in my condo. My daughter has gotten rid of perhaps 75percent of her stuff. She still has way too much. My husband and I went to the Caribbean on a cruise last winter with a carry on each and a small tote bag each. We found that we could do a load of laundry during our 7 day cruise for a reasonable price. Otherwise, I would have rinsed out some underwear and socks. It amazes me that people hold on to old textbooks.