This morning, the NARBUTAS showroom in Clerkenwell was filled with energy for the NAWIC London & South East & Women in Architecture UK breakfast talk, "The Invisible Load of High-Achieving Women."
It was wonderful to catch up with so many familiar faces, including members from both networks, longtime friends, and wonderful collaborators from London Build Expo who kindly attended in support of NAWIC.I want to thank our hosts and organisers Katie Le Chevalier, WELL AP, WELL Faculty Planteria Group and Stephen Block NARBUTAS for being such generous hosts and providing the perfect backdrop for this conversation.
And to speaker Michelle Wilkie who wearing her Interior Self hat, explored the hidden emotional labor of leadership and provided a framework to guide senior practicioners with the aim to prevent self-abandonment in the pursue of success.
Here are my key takeaways:
Michelle structured her discussion around her five essential pillars:
Interior: Our physical environments deeply affect our mental states. Given that we spend 90% of our time indoors, the spaces we inhabit must support our well-being rather than add to our cognitive load.
Self: Our core values must serve as our compass. True success means aligning our professional choices with who we are at our core.
Sanctuary: We need dedicated tools and spaces to help us restore. Resting is not about stopping work; it is about intentional rejuvenation.
Health: The body is not separate from ambition. It is the very vehicle that allows us to achieve our goals.
Expression:This is often the part buried under everything else. Joy is not a luxury; it is a necessity for a fulfilled life. (This particularly resonates with me . I find making time for hobbies and learning is vital for me to remain motivated)
Once she discussed the above and pictured each of the pillars as rooms of a house that needs maintaining, Michelle shared some valuable tips on how to move from overwhelm to empowerment.
1. Name it: True change begins when we become fully aware of the invisible weight we are carrying.
2. Listen to your body: Your physical symptoms are signals that require attention.
3. Create space: Recovery needs to be treated as essential infrastructure in our daily lives, not a reward we have to earn. We must design it into our schedules.
4. Ask for support: Seeking help is not a failure; it is a strategy for sustainability.
5. Return to the body: We cannot simply think our way out of overwhelm. True recovery requires physical and somatic release.
I would add one tip that I am actively working on : It is ok to say no. Sometimes, we let the priorities of others be impossed upon us at the cost of our own. Learning to say no is vital to carve out time for what matters to us.
I also want to thank Karen Rothwell for leading the event from our side, our chair Marianna Bia and committee member Gloria Berenguel Canton for attending and the many attendees for braving the weather.
Post originally shared on my linkedin
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