Washington Lawyer - November/December 2022 - 26

FEATURE
10 THINGS
By Melissa Lin Jones
T
ypically, the end of the year is the time when we
pause to reflect on what we have accomplished.
We rejoice in what we did right and hope we
won't repeat what we did wrong.
At this time three years ago, we had no idea of the challenges we were
about to face. Despite the fear of serious illness, the stress of isolation,
and the problems associated with remote work (technical difficulties,
apprehensive clients, potential data breaches), legal professionals
continued to perform their duties.
Now that many of you have returned to the office and to in-person proceedings,
and as you reflect upon 2022, I want to remind you of the top
10 things you might have forgotten since March 2020.
10
Suits include both a top and a bottom. Pajamas do not qualify
as business casual. Merriam-Webster defines " suit " as " a set of
garments: such as an ensemble of two or more usually
matching outer garments (such as a jacket, vest and trousers). " Staff will
notice if you walk around the office in a dress shirt and sweatpants.
Speaking of walking around the office...
9
You burn
calories
working
outside the home.
According to the
American Psychological
Association, 42 percent
of U.S. adults reported
undesired weight gain
during the first year
of the pandemic (the
average increase was
29 pounds!). Sourdough.
Home-brewed beer.
DoorDash. Grub hub.
Others actually reported
unintended weight loss,
some of which must be
attributable to muscle
loss from the sedentary
lifestyle we developed.
We binge-watched Tiger
King, Breaking Bad, Game
of Thrones, all eight Harry
26 WASHINGTON LAWYER * NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022
7
Lunch tastes better with colleagues. Community adds so much
to a meal experience. Perhaps you had Zoom lunches, but
those are not the same as in-person ones. Over Zoom, you
can't hug or shake hands hello. You can't smell your colleague's entrée
and wish you had ordered it instead of what you did order. You can't
share an appetizer or pass a dessert. You can't make the clink of glasses.
Too often, without a friend knocking on your door and asking if you
were ready to go grab something to eat, you skipped lunch altogether
Photos: iStock
Potter movies, the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, and every Star Wars
movie ever made, including the origin stories. We finally read Gone With
the Wind, War and Peace, and every Sherlock Holmes mystery.
Back in the office, the bathroom is down the hall again. Lunch is outside
the building. Your learned colleague is a few doors down. Oh, think of
the steps you will take!
8
You are a commuting pro. During the pandemic, my commute
was less than 60 seconds from my bedroom down a flight of
stairs. The 13 Amazon boxes parked on the third stair from the
bottom (after I finally brought them in from the porch) caused the worst
rush-hour traffic.
Some of you were hired during the pandemic and did not have to figure
out which back roads come out where, which traffic lights are long
enough to put on mascara or to sneak in a quick shave, and which lane
you need to be in two miles in advance or you won't be able to get over
before it is time to make your turn. There is no need to panic - GPS
still works, and there weren't many new roads constructed during the
pandemic, so it should still be accurate.
You Might Have Forgotten
During the Pandemic
Washington Lawyer - November/December 2022

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