Q: What do you get when you match anonymity with being able to vent about the workplace?
A: My favorite new app, Fishbowl.
Fishbowl is a social app for professionals that helps you connect and have relevant conversations with others across your industry and company.
You can join different “bowls” (professional groups) with others from the same professional background as yourself to get real advice, share work stories, and network.
I hadn’t heard of Fishbowl until I recently starting seeing things about it on Instagram. Because it was a place to post anonymously, I was immediately intrigued. In a nutshell, users can either post with their work title (i.e. “associate,” “partner,” “counsel,” “staff attorney,” etc.), firm name, or if they want to – users can use their real name. Since I like to stay anonymous and value the honestly that comes with that, I post as “Associate” so nobody knows who I really am.
What Bowls I’m In
I dowloaded the app and quickly joined several “bowls.” I am currently a member of the following bowls that are obviously applicable to me:
1. Law
2. Women in Law
3. Litigation & Arbitration
4. Working Parents in Biglaw
Given that my own blog is anonymous, my favorite part about Fishbowl from the start was how you can post anonymously. I have been on the app for over a month, and have to say that I feel very safe.
Things I’ve Posted About
I have enjoyed posting in the app – just questions like about what to expect at your annual review or where to put your kids over Christmas break when schools are closed for two weeks. It’s also a perfect venting space. One time when I was feeling totally overwhelmed with life and almost wanted to run away, I posted this:
I loved how many comments and likes I got from this post. I felt totally alone and crazy for wanting to run away from it all, but the lawyers on this app understood me, when probably most of my friends and family just wouldn’t get it. I even got some pictures from lawyers who not only understood how I felt, but made it their reality:
I think one of the best parts about Fishbowl compared to other things is your ability to instantly post anonymously. I have been a member of some other online lawyer groups on Facebook, for example. But those pages are usually monitored by someone who has to approve of your posts before they get posted. Also, you usually have to go through a few extra steps to post anonymously, like having somebody else post on your behalf. Fishbowl just makes it so much easier to post anonymously and feel understood ASAP. I usually get likes or comments to my posts within just a few minutes.
Fishbowl and Mental Health
Truthfully, this is one of the reasons why I think that Fishbowl will play an important role in lawyers mental health. So many times, we feel so alone and we don’t know where to turn. Our lives “look” perfect to many. We feel the pressure to show the world how smart and capable we are at all times, but we are human, and it is difficult to be vulnerable. Fishbowl is a place where you can be honest, vulnerable, real, and fully understood by people who are there too, and understand. Anonymity breaks down the wall and allows people to be much more honest.
Using Fishbowl to Give Back
For the days when I feel like I don’t have much to vent about, one of my other favorite parts about the app has been the ability to give back. Before I get out of bed, I might spend 10-15 minutes checking out posts. Replying to some is my way of giving back to the community that previously commented on my posts and made me feel understood. Giving back has been another fun aspect of the Fishbowl app.
Overall, I think Fishbowl is a great new tool for lawyers and I highly recommend it. Go for it, download the app, and let me know what you think!
*Please note that Fishbowl does require a work e-mail or a LinkedIn profile in order to create an account. This did make me a little nervous in the beginning, but I was told by Fishbowl officials that this step is taken only to verify your identify and make sure that the app only includes professionals who actually work in the law (and to prevent trolls from snooping around). I have been posting on the app for a while now – and even though lawyers are the most risk averse people – I have to say that I feel safe posting anonymously on the app, and haven’t felt like my identity has been compromised. There are risks in everything, but for me – the ability to anonymously post in a community that gets me at any hour of the day, any day, outweighs any risk that I can see. So I think that says a lot!