One of the goals I set for myself when I turned 34 was to make a list of 35 moments I’m grateful for from this year. The year’s not quite over yet, but we’re less than two weeks from my 35th and I’ve got a good list, so this feels like a good time to commit to it. I promise I won’t stop being grateful for things between now and July 2!
It’s been a tough year. I had a particularly bad spell with depression in November and December, with my usual depression and anxiety being exacerbated by a bad reaction to topiramate and the political climate. I had to push myself hard to juggle all the things I’d taken on 2L year, especially the asylum clinic and my research paper, while trying to cope with the awful things happening and still take care of myself.
And yet, even in the deepest darkness of the year, good things happened. It’s worth remembering that and being grateful for them. If you don’t appreciate the victories, even while staying in the fight, you’ll burn yourself out to a crisp.
One note: other than the very best moment, which I put at the very end, this is in roughly chronological order. (As chronological as my memory will allow.) I tried to space it out roughly evenly throughout the year, though some months were definitely better than others.
Having a Webex call with a favorite professor in mid-July when things seemed very bleak both personally and for the country and getting commiseration and encouragement to keep going.
The afternoon Joe Biden stepped aside and Kamala Harris announced she would run for President, soaking in the newfound joy, enthusiasm, and optimism.
Sitting in the Connecticut Supreme Court chambers for an internship event and letting myself imagine, just for a minute, what it would be like to be a Justice on that court.
The expert bankruptcy attorney I spent much of the summer working with saying goodbye to me and telling me she appreciated my work and that I’ll be a great lawyer.
Getting an early-morning goodbye hug from the daughter of Craig and Brooke, two amazing people I’ve been beyond lucky to have in my life for over a decade.
Stopping by my sister’s house to pick up my car and getting one last chance to pet their Bernese mountain dog Groose before he passed away from lung cancer just two days later.
Setting up a GoFundMe when I hit a rough patch financially and having it succeed beyond my wildest dreams thanks to amazing family and friends - especially my music nerd playlist friends.
A 1L telling me at the first Labor and Employment Law Society meeting of the year that the group I’d started was part of why she chose UConn Law.
Excitedly texting nearly a dozen friends in different group chats during the September presidential debate while we all watched Kamala Harris show us how good she is.
Developing a habit of taking myself to a coffee shop on Saturdays to do my journal work while treating myself to an iced chai latte (I don’t drink coffee but I really like tea) and a sweet treat.
Attending the Peggy Browning Fund labor law conference and soaking up the joy and excitement of being surrounded by people who share my passion.
Leaving anonymous cards with encouraging messages around campus when I was having a really tough day and needed something to distract myself, then seeing others open the cards and leave them around campus so others could enjoy them too.
Mailing postcards to voters in Texas and feeling like I was making a difference.
Having the freedom to leave a part-time job that was a bad fit for me very early on.
Holding a gathering the day after the election for like-minded people to come together and process what happened while eating candy. (So much candy.)
Molly coming to Thanksgiving and Christmas with my extended family and being much more comfortable around other people than she has been in the past.
The first Diet Coke I was able to enjoy, on Christmas Eve morning, after trying topiramate for weight loss and having a bad reaction to it.
Meeting my sister and her partner’s new dog, their rescue rottweiler mix Medli.
Meeting someone on an online dating app and, despite things not going anywhere long-term, having a pleasant time with them.
Getting an air fryer for Christmas (thanks Ben!) and learning how to make delicious food in it.
Celebrating my wonderful law school friend Molly’s birthday while enjoying amazing Caribbean food for dinner at The Russell.
The time my sleep apnea specialist called me his “star pupil” at our every-6-month check-in appointment. I use my CPAP religiously because it makes me feel so much better physically, but gratuitous praise never hurts!
A late-night aimless drive with Jimmy Eat World on, feeling a rough depression spell finally lift.
Hosting my favorite of the Labor and Employment Law Society’s events this year, a conversation with professors in the subject area guiding 1L students on course selection.
Figuring out how to divest my 401k from Tesla stock at the beginning of March and thoroughly enjoying watching the stock tank 10 days later.
Seeing Alex Ovechkin break the all-time NHL scoring record.
Later on the very same day, watching Paige Bueckers and the rest of the UConn women’s basketball team win their 12th national championship and first since 2016.
Handing over the reins of the Labor and Employment Law Society to a rising 2L who I adore and will do great things with it (and giving myself more free time during 3L).
Completing and handing in my research paper on police unions.
Trying out TopGolf with my sister, her partner, and my dad, and having an absolute blast.
Starting a summer job that turned out to be an incredible fit for me.
Receiving the Thomas J. Staley Award from UConn Law for “distinction in the study of labor law.”
Attending protests and feeling grateful for the chance to speak out against the wrongs happening and join my neighbors who feel the same way.
Getting approved for insurance coverage of Zepbound (it was a struggle) and finding out that the injection really doesn’t hurt much.
Learning that my client had been granted asylum.