Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel
An Independent Office of the Colorado Supreme Court
Promoting Professionalism. Protecting the Public.
By Sarah Myers, COLAP Executive Director
“Life ain’t nothing if it ain’t hard; It’ll show you who you truly are.” ~Chris Cornell, Before We Disappear
We live in difficult times. To be fair, they’ve ALL been difficult times. Political tyrants, plagues, wars, ice ages, genocide, slavery, famine, and financial depressions have provided human beings with plenty of stress. Interestingly, historical research and analysis suggests that the present day is actually the safest time in human history. So why are we so stressed? And why are we doing such a bad job coping with it?
First, it can be easy to get caught up in focusing on the horrible things going on but not many of the positives. Social media and 24/7 news keep us on high alert. Technology contributes to our attention being split in many directions at once, making it difficult to engage in life mindfully. We are also bombarded with well-being advice from influencers and therapeutic entrepreneurs who are often lacking the credentials and experience to ethically assist behavioral health issues. Over the years, such individuals and organizations have increasingly targeted the legal community with predatory marketing. Much of the wellness related content in this type of advertising has one goal: to convince you that something is wrong with you and your life (i.e., you missed the memo on how to be happy), and that if you buy a service or product, your life will be better. They have done an excellent job; it is a multitrillion-dollar industry erroneously promoting the concept that external factors can impact what is, in fact, an inside job.
There are a few research-backed and evidenced-based tips to keep in mind when you are faced with predatory marketing, or when you are stressed about your stress:
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you over the past 12 years. I gave this program everything I had. COLAP is here for you, and it will continue to be a phenomenal free and confidential behavioral health resource for our legal community. But after 25 years in Colorado, I’m taking my own advice and returning to the East Coast. When the time comes, my hope is that you will also have the courage to make difficult decisions in order to take care of yourself and those you love.
Peace out Colorado ♥