On Friday morning I started, what will be, a  long custody trial. As most lawyers will tell you, trial work can be emotionally and physically exhausting as well as mentally challenging. You really have to be “on” 100% of the time throughout the entire proceeding. Custody trials, by their nature, can be emotionally draining not only on the litigants but on the attorneys as well. And this particular trial is especially difficult.

As I left the courthouse late Friday afternoon, I walked out with the Attorney for the Children. We discussed generally how tiring the day had been and began discussing our weekend plans. She said the first thing she was going to do when she got home, in order to decompress, was  to pour herself a large glass of wine. I laughingly responded that I was “beyond wine and in the reality t.v. realm.”

When I arrived home, I changed into pajamas, got into bed and put on the television and began watching an episode of "The Real Housewives"  that I had recorded.  When my husband called me later from his office we quickly discussed our days. Immediately sensing my mood, he offered to bring home dinner for us. After we ate dinner, I returned to bed and the television to watch more episodes of “The Real Housewives.”

Early Saturday morning I was at the kitchen table outlining my cross examination of the Father for the next trial date.   My mindless Friday evening filled with reality television left me totally re-energized and ready to attack my work. Hopefully, I have enough episodes of “The Real Housewives” taped  to take me through this trial.

How do you decompress?