Burnout is a shape-shifter—it doesn’t look or feel the same for everyone. Sure, exhaustion is part of it, but burnout runs deeper, affecting us physically, emotionally, and mentally

Do you have a vision for 2025? Goals you’re eager to achieve?

As we step into the new year, the pressure to set ambitious resolutions can feel overwhelming. But what if, instead of rigid goals, you chose a single guiding word?

On August 4th, 2023, I left New York City, a place I called home for 26 years. The city, with its relentless energy and endless opportunities, had shaped much of who I was. But as the years passed, especially during the isolation brought by Covid-19, my husband and I began contemplating a significant life change. Like many others, we found ourselves yearning for something different—a quieter life, closer to nature, and a chance to redefine what success and happiness meant to us.

Passing the Architectural Registration Exam (ARE) is a monumental achievement for aspiring architects, but the journey can be long and daunting. In fact, many of us are still working on it in our midlife or have been defeated by the challenges along the way. What it means to be licensed as an architect in midlife varies per individual as well. In this and the next couple of blog posts, I invite you to open your mind and look into a different perspective on pursuing your ARE journey, one that doesn't revolve solely around study resources and your willpower. It's more about understanding and accepting the unique and special part of who you are and using that as a vehicle to drive your ARE journey.

In the relentless whirlwind of life, where the relentless demands of career, family, and personal growth converge, it's easy to lose sight of the architect within ourselves. As a busy architect, you design intricate spaces, sculpting dreams into tangible structures for your clients. You pour your skill and passion into every blueprint, ensuring each line, curve, and corner serves a purpose. But amidst this creative frenzy, you often forget a truth as profound as the designs you create: YOU ARE ALSO AN ARCHITECT OF YOUR OWN LIFE.

As an architect, your days are filled with creativity, innovation, and the pursuit of turning visions into reality. However, in the whirlwind of design, client meetings, and construction site visits, you may find yourself wondering, "How can I make the most of the limited hours in a day?"

In today's fast-paced world of architecture, carving out time, especially for yourself, can feel like an elusive dream. However, it doesn't have to be. In this blog, we'll explore three practical steps to help you reclaim your time, reduce stress, and make space for the things that truly matter.

Let's be honest here, fellow midlife architects – time is our most precious resource, and how we choose to use it defines our path in life. If you're truly passionate about something, you'll find a way to prioritize it, even in the midst of juggling a career and life's demands.

It’s 10 am on Wednesday, and there's a looming deadline at 5 pm. You've been diligently working since 8 am, and logically, you still have plenty of time. However, as the clock ticks, your mind starts racing with thoughts like "It's taking me more time than it should" and "I might not make it in time." Slowly but surely, nervousness and anxiety creep in because as architects, meeting our deadlines are so crucial.

Between work demands as a midlife architect, family responsibilities, and just the daily grind, it's easy to feel like you're barely keeping your head above water. I've been thinking a lot about those moments when everything seems to pile up, leaving us overwhelmed and exhausted.