I ignored my mental well-being
As architects, we’re used to working hard.
We handle tough projects, meet deadlines, and keep clients happy.
But often, we forget something important: looking after our mental health.
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I was the same. I thought working non-stop was the key to success.
I didn’t mind the long hours and stress.
But soon, this lifestyle began to affect me.
I started to miss small details, forgot meetings, and felt less excited about my work.
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This happens to many of us.
We're good at building things but not always at taking care of ourselves.
The skills that make us great architects – like being detail-oriented and passionate – can also lead to burnout if we're not careful.
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My turning point came when I missed a deadline and lost a client.
It was a clear sign that I needed to change.
I started with simple things: taking short breaks, not working late all the time, and doing things I enjoyed outside of work.
Like riding my motorbike, cooking, or reading a book.
These small steps made a big difference in how I felt and worked.
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To all architects: our mental health is crucial.
It’s the base of our creativity and success.
Taking care of it helps us not just personally, but in our careers too.
Let’s start paying more attention to our mental well-being.
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Why mental health?
Just like physical fitness, mental wellness is crucial to being a great architect.
Many of us have had to practice architecture in very difficult times.
If it's not the 2008 crisis, it's interest rates or a global pandemic.
But the truth is that many of us have faced deep, dark moments.
And those moments generated some kind of mental health issue.
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We're not building Global Architect just for business purposes.
We are building a community of architects that value the lifestyle around wellness.
W would like to change architects' lives by supporting them through these difficult times.
That’s why mental health is the cornerstone of our brand.
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Our Approach to Mental Health
We're here to change how architects think about mental health.
This is how we do it:
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1. Open Conversations
We're committed to breaking the stigma around it.
Our goal is to make it easy for everyone to talk about their mental well-being.
Just like we discuss building designs, we want to discuss mental health openly.
I will actively engage in and promote discussions about mental wellness.
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As you may have noticed on my LinkedIn profile, I post once a week about Mental Health, trying to open conversations.
And I have many more on the way…
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The goal of these posts is to create a safe place where our team and clients can share their thoughts and listen to others.
It's all about understanding and supporting each other.
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2. Balance as a Policy
Our work culture is designed around balance.
We make sure everyone has time to unplug, rest and recharge.
We believe that when our team is well-rested, they do their best work.
They're more creative and get more done.
Ensuring that mental health is not just a concept, but a practice.
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Don’t blame me for working from a terrace in Ibiza. It’s part of taking care of my mental health.
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3. Resources and Support
We take mental health seriously.
We're investing in the well-being of our team, so we provide resources and tools to support mental health.
This includes talking to mental health experts, learning how to handle stress, and using wellness tips.
We invest in our team's mental health just like we invest in their work skills.
We also have a curated list of books around Mental Health, that are very useful to prevent these issues as early as possible.
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By the way, the Tool of the Week is Betterhelp.
BetterHelp is one such online therapy service that allows you to text-chat with a licensed, accredited therapist 24/7
They offer convenient and professional online counseling, providing architects a flexible way to manage stress, anxiety, and other challenges while juggling their busy careers.
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4. Inclusive Campaigns
We aim to use our Global Architect platform to inspire and educate other Architects.
Our campaigns are about spreading awareness and encouraging mental health care.
We use our brand to teach and inspire other architects about mental health.
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That’s why on our weekly Newsletter we have a section dedicated to the Mental Health, named ❤️ Healthy of the Week.
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We want to show how important it is to look after your mental health and encourage others in our field to do the same.
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And last but not least…
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5. Lead by Example
We are committed to leading by example in our approach to mental health.
This means being open about our own mental health journeys and sharing our experiences.
I’ve shared my own experience with you in this article: “I Ignored My Mental Well-being”
I’ve nothing to hide, not embarrassed of sharing my experience.
Moreover, I do it to help other architects who are in a similar situation.
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We believe that transparency can be powerful in inspiring others to take their mental health seriously.
By showing that even successful architects face mental health challenges, we hope to normalize these conversations and encourage others to seek the help and support they need.
We recently talked about it on LinkedIn as well:
“Successful architects have mental health issues too”
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What did I learn?
Reflecting on my experience in coaching professionals, especially architects moving into business roles, here are my top three learnings:
1) Be Ready to Change
It's important to stay open to new ideas and ways of doing things.
In jobs like architecture, things are always changing – new tech, new ways to do business, and what clients want.
Being able to change and learn new skills is key to doing well.
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2) Good Relationships Matter a Lot
Building strong connections with people is really important.
This means not just knowing lots of people, but having good, helpful relationships with clients, people you work with, and mentors.
These connections can help you in your career, giving you advice and new chances.
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My Tip: don’t be afraid to ask for help.
🎓 If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just looking for a fresh perspective, don't underestimate the power of tapping into a mentor's wisdom. Book a 1:1 Coaching Session. You'll get direct access to pros who've been in your shoes and successfully navigated the challenges you're facing.
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3) Keep Work and Life Balanced
It's really important to balance your job and your personal life.
In tough jobs, it's easy to just focus on work and forget about your health, fun activities, or spending time with family and friends.
But if you don't keep this balance, you can get too tired and not do your best at work.
Keeping a balance helps you stay happy and do well in your job for a long time.
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These tips come from seeing what works for people in your field and are all about practical ways to grow and stay happy in your career.
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Conclusion
Taking care of your mental health is as important as building your career in architecture.
By having open conversations, balancing work and life, and supporting each other, we can thrive both professionally and personally.
Remember that a healthy mind leads to a successful career.
So, let's prioritize our mental well-being and encourage other architects to do the same.
Because health is the foundation for lasting success and happiness.
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I wish you a healthy lifestyle.
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Whenever you're ready, there are 2 ways I can help you with:
1. If you're still looking for traction in your architecture business, subscribe to the Wisdom for the Modern Architect Newsletter. Every week you will get actionable ideas, mental models and resources to help you build a profitable business.
2. In case you want to level up your business, you can get Full Access to the Global Architect Roadmap, and unlock Challenge & Solutions with all the resources and tools, exclusively reserved for our paid members, by Upgrading your Membership.
See you around,
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