As I cracked open a brand-new calendar for 2025, I couldn’t help but think what a pivotal moment this really is—we’re twenty-five years into what still feels to me like a new century, and I’m nearing fifty trips around the sun. In the last few weeks, I have found myself taking stock of the last several years, years that brought wisdom from experience and afforded me clarity of priorities. I am filled with gratitude and feel a sense of renewed commitment to live with intentional purpose, to make each day truly count.
Nearly nine years ago, I made the choice to leave my job with a public interest non-profit firm and joined my current firm. The transition afforded me the opportunity to work from home but still do much of the work I found so fulfilling. What I thought would be a career move was certainly that, of course, but even more so a lifestyle shift, in which I found myself reassessing nearly everything about my life. At the time, my two girls were in early elementary grades, and my husband and I were both used to being out of the house and away from them for all but a precious few hours of the day, especially considering the daily commute to and from our respective offices. With this new position, I found myself at home most of the day and I had to quickly adjust to a very different daily routine.
All in all, I found that working from home-especially during a pandemic-had amazing perks. It still does. Gone are the long commutes, providing more time with my family, and the opportunity to create a workspace and workday that is uniquely mine. And now that our girls are teenagers, I am experiencing the challenges that come with parenting older kids who are navigating their own routines and responsibilities. It requires more time and energy than I ever thought it would need.
Most days, my home office feels like a sanctuary, a quiet place for productivity and thought. On other days, however, it feels like a busy airport, with my daughters and their friends popping in after school to ask questions, share stories, or ask for a ride. I have learned that balancing their demands with the demands of a full-time law career, which comes with its own kind of stress, requires constant, nearly daily, adjustments and flexibility. It also requires boundaries and trust. Teenagers need their space, and so do I. Despite these challenges, I am forever grateful that I have been present during these pivotal years, available to listen, witness, participate, celebrate, and generally connect with them in ways I might have missed otherwise.
A few lessons stand out amidst my reflection:
1. Boundaries Are Essential: Working from home has taught me the importance of setting clear boundaries—not just with my work but with myself and my family members. My daughters and husband have learned to respect the times I must prioritize my work, and I have learned to close my laptop and prioritize family and self-care (self-care is most definitely still a work in progress).
2. Independence Is a Gift: Watching my daughters grow into independent, capable young women has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Trusting them to make their own choices to seek their own happiness and fulfillment without quite as much input from me has deepened our relationship and given me a sense of freedom I had forgotten.
3. Flexibility Is Key: Life is rarely predictable, especially with teenagers and a law career. Being flexible will likely always be challenging for me, but I have wonderful colleagues who make it look easy, so I follow their example. I have also found that pivoting by necessity can often lead to increased productivity so I’m learning to embrace that.
4. Connect in the Small Moments: Some of my very favorite parts of the day are cooking simple dinners together to eat before everyone scatters again, working side by side with my girls at the kitchen table, catching up on things while they do homework, and the fun yet sometimes incredibly meaningful chats we have during car rides to and from activities—these everyday moments are what I treasure most.
Somehow, this new year feels like such a milestone—a moment to celebrate how far we have come as a family while also looking ahead to what’s next. With my daughters becoming more self-sufficient, I’m finding more time to focus on my own goals and dreams. In my professional life, this means taking on projects that excite me and mentoring others who are just starting their law careers. At home, it means creating more memories with my daughters and husband while also prioritizing my own needs and opportunities for growth personally. So, here’s to embracing change and the challenges that come with that, cherishing the moments, and stepping confidently into the next chapter.
