Letters to their earlier selves
Dear All,
I was inspired this week by a project in our office to mark International Women’s Day- seven of our female directors and associate directors wrote letters to their earlier selves, with the advice they would share now. I won’t share them here as they are personal- but I did write a summary piece for the booklet that was shared around the office which i’ve adapted here:
The letters I read speak a compelling narrative of women in pursuit of balance. Reading them I almost felt the reassuring encouragement, and the pragmatism leaping off the page. The balance they are seeking is not a balanced architectural portfolio, but a balanced life. In my mind, knowing many of these women personally, it is the richness of their lives that generates the quality of their work.
These are women who are embracing life- and all the tangents it throws at them and encouraging those following behind to embrace it too. To make mistakes and learn from them. To trust our instincts and feed our souls. To work hard and persevere through the boring bits. To foster relationships, and families should we wish to. To cherish our health, mental and physical, and not be afraid to rest. To learn to use our voices and be prepared to speak up. To be curious, agile and flexible. To remember that progression is not a straight line or an exponential growth curve. That life is not a race.
I walk away from these letters in equal parts encouraged, inspired and overwhelmed. These are easy concepts to write but not always easy concepts to live. May we all rise to their challenge.
Until next time!
Eleanor
P.S Some links for you: The Grenfell news continues to horrify me. This letter from a group of students has been causing waves in architectural circles. I responded to its pleas for better working conditions and opportunities in my column this month.