Big Sis Briefing: 12 Weeks Post-Lawyerin’
A Quarter Out
Three months have passed. One quarter in the old corporate calendar. Enough time for the initial excitement to fade, for reality to set in and for something new to start taking shape.
I'm proud of myself and I'm grateful. And I haven't had to touch savings yet. From day one, people backed me, invested in me and trusted me.
That's a milestone worth acknowledging.
Experimenting and Surprises
I've tried many different approaches. Some ideas didn't work out. Others exceeded expectations, like the hats. I never expected to be researching dropshipping strategies, but here we are. That's the benefit of autonomy: nobody else controls the priorities anymore.
I've also rediscovered my love of writing. Not rushed content, not copy refined through multiple approval layers. Just authentic work that belongs to me.
The Crash and the Rhythm
The initial leap brought euphoria. Then came the downturn. Then a more stable foundation emerged. Now, when a new idea surfaces, I can pursue it immediately.
But unlimited freedom also created problems. Skipping alarms seemed liberating at first. By week eight, this freedom had become a burden. Oversleeping drained my energy, scattered my thinking and affected my mood negatively.
So I made corrections. I established a consistent sleep schedule. I found balance between my natural night-owl creativity and the structure that keeps me functioning well. This change made a significant difference. Rest is crucial but routine is what maintains stability for me.
Family and Flexibility
One of the greatest advantages has been my availability for family when they need support. No leave requests. No justifying absences. Just being present and contributing to our support network again. This matters more than any job title ever provided.
The Community That Built This
Six years ago, I began posting daily on Instagram. Consistent effort built recognition, credibility and trust. That foundation enables what I'm doing now.
My community returns far more than it receives from me. Every message saying "this is exactly what I needed" or "how did you know I felt this way?" connects me directly with the people I want to help. These conversations provide richer insights than any survey or report could offer.
The challenges I hear about are widespread:
Questioning career direction
Feeling left behind
Burnout and losing connection to passion
Guilt about wanting better work-life integration
Fear of requesting par rises, promotions or new opportunities
These aren't legal profession problems.
They're human problems.
The Silence and the Shift
Losing the constant stream of corporate communications felt unusual at first . Initially i felt like I was ‘wagging school’, sitting in cafes writing blog posts and content instead of responding to emails. That guilt disappeared quickly. My stress levels adjusted. Now I feel calmer and think more clearly.
What's Next
The podcast is in development. The interviews are complete. The first episode is with the editor. Progress is steady across all projects.
Twelve weeks in, the lesson is clear: this approach. Experimenting, connecting with people, creating content that brings them value and designing work and life according to my values.
No regrets. Only learning experiences. Only appreciation. Only moving forward from here.
If You're Feeling the Pull
If any part of you feels energised reading this or if you wonder whether you might pursue something similar in your own way, here's what I've learned:
What made this transition possible wasn't chance. It was years of developing my voice, my brand and creating content around my core themes. It was understanding modern communication tools, investing time to learn each platform properly and recognizing their true value. Yes, that includes LinkedIn.
If you're considering your own next step, you need to begin where you are right now. You need to start today.
I can provide so guidance here to get you started: I've published free resources online and I work directly with people who want support. I also offer longer-term coaching programs. As I continue testing, learning and growing, I'll keep sharing what proves effective.
We only get one life. Content creation made the crucial difference for me and it can work for you too.
Mel
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