Being a trainee solicitor is no mean feat. Every six months you essentially start a new job, with a new team, in a new area of law and sometimes even in a new office. Now, with the introduction of agile working thrown into the mix, which brings its own unique challenges, it’s more important than ever that trainees look after their mental health. Below, I have listed some self-care tips and strategies for life as a trainee solicitor.
Whether you are working from home or are in the office, remember that you are part of the team and every team member has a voice and deserves to be heard. Working remotely can bring about concerns over feeling detached from your colleagues; however, it important to remember that whether you are in the office or at home, there should be no barriers to communication. At Howes Percival, we are always encouraged to support each other and check in by any means available - whether that’s via email, Zoom or an old-fashioned face to face chat. It may be cliché to say a ‘problem shared is a problem halved’ but sharing a problem is one step closer to finding a solution, so be transparent and share any concerns you have.
This is far easier said, than done (especially when you are trying to impress your supervisor!). But your best work is done when you are most productive and being able to switch off in the evenings, and at weekends, enables you to recharge your batteries and find happiness in doing the things that you enjoy. At Howes Percival, it is recognised that though there will be days when you need to work late, and there are client deadlines to meet, this should be the exception not the rule.
Ultimately, you’re in the same boat. So by keeping in regular contact with the other trainees, you can build a support network to help and guide each other. Whether that’s through a catch up coffee in the office or, as we have done at Howes Percival, a biweekly Zoom chat on a Friday. Making time for each other and a building a cohort with your fellow trainees is hugely important and provides another avenue for you to share any concerns, or issues, that you may have.
When you are working long hours it can be difficult to eat well and find time for exercise, but incorporating healthier habits into your lifestyle will make you feel better equipped for those challenging days. For example, if you are working from home then try to put the time that you would have put into your commute into going to the gym or going for a walk.
When it comes to your diet, don’t underestimate how important eating the right things are and how eating poorly can affect your mood and energy levels. If you are lazy and uncreative like me, then there are lots of quick and easy one pot/tray meals where you can add all the ingredients together and let the magic happen (or, from my perspective, hope for the best). Cooking in batches, and freezing your meals, will enable you to save time preparing food in the week and allows you to put more time into doing the things you enjoy.
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