Maybe this is a normal sequel to attending a TED talk or maybe I've been especially introspective since my last post where I highlighted the five most important take aways of that event, but I've been in a funk. Not unusual really, I'm not your most positive glass-half-full type of person, but a funk none the less. I've been battling with the idea of long term goals, with personal legacy and self-worth.
The field of architecture is hard, ever changing and overwhelming. There is no way of realistically keeping up with all the new products in the marketplace or being a subject expert. With that there is good and bad: constant learning, constant upgrading, constant research. It's easy to get swept up in the idea that being a fan of all that is design outside of architecture is taking precious time away from learning to be a better architect.
I can't call myself an architect because I'm not licensed, but I have not made that acquisition a priority. I've realized now that the skills that you learn in architecture school are broad: a systematic approach to solving a problem, a regional context to frame a building type, an understanding of scale and program, i.e an education cultivating an analytic point of view. The people that I've surrounded myself with are creative, they define themselves by what they are passionate about and they live somewhere on the spectrum of design. They are designers and they are constantly inspiring and searching for inspiration. I may have the skills that qualify me to work in the field of architecture and create a set of drawings that allow for buildings to be built, but my passion is in the space and the environment that people inhabit and experience. I now realize that my internal battle with long term goals, stem from the fact that I was making choices within the context of being an architect. You move from being a drafter to a project manager, at some point becoming an architect and taking on more responsibility and liability. Architects do what they do until they are old and nearly in the grave because they are passionate about the built environment and it's difficult to connect with that mentality. I would love to travel and experience and see what's out there, I daydream about not working at all, which makes me feel incredibly guilty! But if I move my intention away from being a successful architect and one that focuses on a life devoted to design: creating engaging spaces, learning a craft, advocating for the value in design and process then the goal seems legitimate. The idea of intentions as guide posts (thank you Jess Lively and Brene Brown), versus straight forward goals, is new to me and something that I'm working towards.
That brings me to this intention, to love beginnings. When I think of beginning, or the first - I'm afraid, I panic at not knowing what to expect and am anxious and stressed. Sunday afternoons are the worst in anticipation of a new work week! But when I think about spring; the colors, the ripe possibilities and the idea of re-invention, this fills me with hope. Change the mindset; defeat the negativity by honoring initiation and all of its opportunity, as opposed to all of its risk. Today I honor beginnings and share with you the images that, to me, embody spring and happiness and actions and hope.
Image sources: 1. Tulip fields 2. Turquoise cabinets @ Decorology 3. Field of Tulips 4. Acapulco multi-lounge fair @ CB2 5. Midcentury planters 6. Cool retro cabinet 7. Toe in the Water 8. My go to fave, Emily Henderson 9. Caravan Pacific's Alberta Lamp 10. Fermob, French outdoor furniture - yes!