Why You Feel Like You Can Never Turn Your Brain Off as a Lawyer

The Former Lawyer Podcast

The Former Lawyer Podcast
Why You Feel Like You Can Never Turn Your Brain Off as a Lawyer
Oct 20, 2025 Episode 286
Sarah Cottrell

Lawyers often describe feeling like they can never fully turn their brains off. Even during downtime, there’s a sense of waiting for the next email, the next call, or the next fire to put out. It’s not simply overthinking. It’s the body staying on alert, a nervous system trained to expect that something could go wrong at any time.

Sarah explains why this constant state of vigilance makes sense, why it’s not a personal failing, and what it means for lawyers trying to find relief from the pressure.

Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory by Deb Dana

See show notes at formerlawyer.com/286

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