Are You a Crafty Lawyer, or a Crafting Lawyer? One Is Better

Being a crafty lawyer is almost a badge of honor, but being a crafting lawyer is better.

That's because crafting, like many hobbies, can make you a better person. It's about work-life balance, which most lawyers find hard to achieve.

Some lawyers make it an art form -- literally -- like Jeena Cho, co-author of The Anxious Lawyer.

Relax and Recharge

Cho, a San Francisco attorney, got a bump for her book from the ABA Journal. The magazine featured her in a piece on how crafting helps lawyers relax and recharge.

"We need to be whole human beings, which means developing all the aspects of ourselves," she said. "Everyone has a creative side, and it's important to nurture it."

To help her find more balance in life, Cho took up sewing. She makes handbags, skirts, and loungewear. It's not a career, but the time out helped save hers.

According to reports, it's a real thing for lawyers across the country. They say hobbies like sewing, crafting, and woodworking are great ways to de-stress.

De-Stress for Success

Patrick Meriwether, an Atlanta attorney, retreats to his basement workshop when he needs a break. He made his family's dining table, his first-born's crib, outdoor furniture, and his office desk.

"When you're dealing with the drama found in family law, it's getting into the shop and pulling the beauty out of a piece of wood that, in addition to my faith, keeps me sane," Meriwether said.

FindLaw blogger William Peacock said hobbies can help lawyers balance their work-life. They can even save your life.

"[I]f you don't want to die of a heart attack after 15 years of working 200-hour weeks, you might want to try a little bit of balance," he wrote.

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