The Lawyer’s Well-Being Brief

Labor Day and Well-Being: Celebrating Rest, Reflection, and Resilience

“All great achievements require time.”-Maya Angelou

Welcome back or welcome to, the Lawyer’s Well-being Brief. Every week, I share insights and tools to help us improve our well-being. This week I’m sharing some history of the Labor Day holiday and how we can use the time off to work on our well-being.

A Brief History of Labor Day

As the summer winds down and the first Monday in September approaches, many of us in the United States are gearing up for Labor Day — an opportunity for parades, barbecues, and a final taste of summer freedom. However, beyond its function as a seasonal marker, Labor Day represents a moment to pause and reflect on the value of labor and well-being.

Labor Day’s roots lie in the labor movement of the late 19th century, a time when American workers banded together to demand better working conditions, fair wages, and reasonable hours. While the movement’s early days were marked by intense struggles, including strikes and clashes with authorities, these efforts ultimately led to significant improvements in workers’ rights and conditions. Today, as we celebrate Labor Day, we can also use this holiday to reflect on another crucial aspect of our lives — our…