Some Thoughts on Starting Over: Me

Life brings you Change, always. I suppose it is just Life doing it's thing, life-ing.

I have been surprised at how many of my friends and family are also experiencing a similar point in their lives where massive change, unexpected at a later stage in their careers, is suddenly upon them. How is it that we're all in this space of change? Maybe there's a mirror I'm holding up right now - and it's reflecting what I recognize in myself. I'm looking to see myself reflected in others that I care about. Some people, like my husband Tony, planned and prepared to make changes for different phases in his career. Like shedding skins, he's in his third career now, as an Acupuncturist. Ironically, his new business opened at the same time I decided to make a change in mine. His clarity struck a resonance in me. So I got to take some time off, doodle a wave, and then created a mural, then a website, for his small clinic. It was fun, stress free - and a good-weird use of my skills as an architect.

After working for a large firm for almost two decades, I now have the opportunity to create a small studio, of one. And now I'm intentionally creating opportunities to work with designers and builders who may once have been competitors - but now we are a network for each other.

I am rediscovering what I love doing: planning a home, engaging with designers, clients and builders. I get to help lead a curated team who just do good work with other funny, smart, competent, kind people. I keep an attentive eye on the work, and also the relationships and experiences together. We(e) design as a team…