Introducing : Lessons from the Greenhouse

Before we dive in, let me give you some personal history that will help provide some context to the lessons to come.

I grew up dreaming of becoming an architect. I built card houses, sketched house designs, and took over the kitchen table with a Lego village of my creation.

In high school I started making decisions that revolved around achieving the dream. I elected every possible CAD related class in school and I attended an architecture summer program at UW-Milwaukee. I went to college, majored in architecture, got my first job in architecture, went back for my masters and then landed my dream job at a small firm. I logged my hours at work, studied for and passed 7 exams, and I did it ... I finally became an architect.

Intentionally or otherwise, I surrounded myself by the profession - most of my friends (including my husband) were connected to the field. I participated in a 7 month leadership program specifically for architects. I joined the leadership for my local section of AIA (American Institute of Architects). I attended seminars and conferences, building tours, and social events. I subscribed to magazines and listened to podcasts about architecture.

All this to say, I put a LOT of myself into the pursuit of becoming and being an architect.

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In January 2024, after 20+ years of investing in my architectural education and career, I left my job as a Senior Project Architect without the intent of finding another job in architecture. I was leaving my career (my childhood dream) and plunging into the vast unknown. At the time I called it a break - I'm still not ready to say that I will never practice architecture again - and thought it would last 3-6 months.

For many reasons, leaving was the hardest decision I've ever had to make. And for many other reasons it was absolutely necessary.

I didn't have a plan. I had no idea what I was going to do next. Part of me felt an incredible internal pressure to figure it all out, but most of me felt a sense of freedom that I had never really given myself - freedom to explore my many other hobbies, try some new things, and ask myself who I was at this point in my life, and who I wanted to become.

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In February 2024, I accepted a job at a local greenhouse and started working in April. I worked part time watering flowers, tending to plants, and doing all sorts of manual labor odd jobs. It was all new to me.

Working at the greenhouse has given me more than I ever expected. My time spent doing mindless tasks in the presence of flowers gave me the much needed time and space to rest, reflect, and expand. During the hours of reflection I started to notice patterns in my thoughts and experiences (past and present), and I started a journal that I called Lessons from the Greenhouse. The lessons are very personal to me, but also very relatable.

These lessons are mostly on the subject of career and life, as well as some "ah-ha" moments about myself - who I am and why I am who I am. I don't claim to have it all figured out - each day I get to decide who I am and what I believe. After a year of journaling I've decided to share what I've learned and am continuing to learn.

Welcome to my Greenhouse.