Via Negativa

When I was trying to leave the law, I struggled with trying to figure out what to do instead. If I leave the law, what else will I do?

It was a paralyzing question. Because obvious alternatives didn't jump out at me, I convinced myself that I was trapped and that I'd never be able to leave the law. I felt so strongly that I wanted out, but if I couldn't imagine what I'd be doing once I got out, did I really want out? How could I get out?

Fortunately, I realized I wasn't alone. I talked to other lawyers - all of whom are still practicing today. They hate practicing law and would love to quit, but they don't know what they'd do instead. And that's the end of the issue for them. "What else would I do?" If an alternative doesn't present itself, they assume there isn't one. So they end up trapping themselves. For the longest time, that was me.

But then I talked to _______.