My experience with Mental Health
During my years at Bamboo Architecture, I faced mental health issues.
- The long hours
- Financial struggles
- Managing team members
- The pressure to meet project demands
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The combination of these factors took a toll on my mental health.
I felt exhausted, anxious and, at times, disillusioned with my job.
My busy schedule prevented me from spending time with family and friends.
So it not only affected my work, but my personal life as well.
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It was a difficult time.
But I learned the importance of taking care of my mental health and seeking support from others.
I realized that I wasn't the only one facing these problems.
Talking about mental health with other architects helped me share stories, learn new things and feel supported.
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Architects are often caught up in the same problems.
This article talks about the tough trials architects go through.
And why it's really important for them to take care of their mental health.
When architects are mentally well, it strengthens and improves our entire community.
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Coping with Stress and Burnout
Being an architect nowadays can be really tough, there's a lot of pressure.
Architects feel constant stress to finish projects, please clients, and follow changing rules, and this can will lead to long-lasting stress and burnout.
It's like trying to balance a tall building on a tiny base.
The overstress can lead to collapse. The overexertion can lead to burnout.
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The Struggle of Long Hours
Being an architect requires a lot of dedication.
And we often work more than the usual 9-to-5 hours.
What can I tell you that you don't already know?
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Working long hours not only affects your work. It also spoils your personal life.
You might have trouble sleeping, feel anxious, and lose your passion for the job.
You may not have enough time for family, friends and taking care of yourself.
This strains your relationships and make you feel even more stressed.
Making the problem even worse.
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If you’re in this situation, you need to:
- set clear boundaries for your work hours
- take time for your self-care
- and manage your time efficiently
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Having a good balance between work and personal life is crucial for your mental well-being.
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The Impact of Low Salaries
We know that money (or lack of) is one of the biggest stressors.
After spending years studying to be an architect, you may still be struggling financially.
A low salary makes you worry about money and can make you feel depressed and less motivated.
You have to deal with student loans, high living costs and daily expenses, which is tough.
Even if you are creative and hardworking, feeling unappreciated can make you enjoy your work less.
Your financial difficulties are evident.
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Do you remember when we talked about the Average Salary of an Architect?
The figures were quite sad. And I fully understand that many architects are having such a hard time.
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We have always said that one of the ways to fix it is to know about business and to know how to make more money.
Learning about money can help you:
- be less stressed
- feel happier and healthier
- manage your finances better
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Take my advice, learn more about business, you’ll feel happier and healthier as an architect.
We talked about Money and Income on several articles.
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Building a Supportive Architectural Community
Architects have their own unique challenges, but having a supportive network can make a big difference.
When there's a supportive community, architects can share their experiences, learn from each other, and lift each other up.
That's why Mental Health is the cornerstone of our Brand.
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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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Architects should take part in sharing knowledge and supporting each other:
- Talking about their work challenges
- ways to deal with stress
- celebrating successes
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This will make the architectural community stronger and more resilient.
When we support each other, we feel more confident and happier with our profession.
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Having mentorship programs might be a great idea.
Experienced architects can guide and help younger ones, which is super valuable.
There are also peer networks and online communities where architects can connect and talk about their problems and solutions.
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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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Conclusion: The need for Mental Health Support
Many architects face mental health challenges.
But there's a problem…
They don't talk openly about it, which makes some architects scared to seek help.
They worry that others might see them as weak or not good at their job.
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The mental health challenges architects face due to long hours, low salaries, and stress are significant and demand urgent attention.
The architectural community needs to come together.
We should encourage talking openly about mental well-being and provide support services in architectural firms.
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Remember that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness.
It's actually a brave step towards getting better.
We can help each other by teaching everyone more about mental health and making it a normal topic to talk about.
This way, we won't feel embarrassed or afraid to get the assistance they need.
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We can build a brighter future, together.
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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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