COMMENT | Honour Each Day

An optimistic approach to the challenging times ahead.

January is always a good month for evaluating; embracing the possibilities of what is to come. Usually, I write a list of achievements from the previous year, and think about what I would like to achieve in the year ahead.

2012 was a good year for the most part. For the UK it saw a whole multitude of events which made me feel extremely proud to be British. But on a personal level, I graduated from Architecture, my second degree, putting the 100-hour working weeks behind me. Unfortunately, the latter half of 2012 has been much of a drag, which has come as an anti-climax. Endlessly applying for architecture jobs, 400 in total, and being told I have little experience to be employed in an entry-level position is beyond bizarre. Indeed a period of unemployment really makes one feel worthless. Alas, the challenging search continues.

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In all honesty, it could have been a tougher time if it hadn’t been for a bucket load of optimism, and a continual list of goals; making this period slightly more tolerable. So in 2013, I have said goodbye to any hint of pessimism and embraced the challenging times ahead.

Much like Chris Jones’ article on ‘Money Worries‘, I have been exploring a range of online shops to promote and sell a new range of artwork and prints. Although it will be a long road ahead, breaking the end goal down into manageable chunks makes things seem a little clearer; a kind of financial plan for a creative business. Thankfully I have secured a couple of exhibitions in Leeds during February, and the selling of work is increasing slowly. All in good time.

The lowest point of the year so far has been declining an interview for a phenomenal architecture practice in Switzerland, as the cost of travelling over was too high to justify. Nevertheless, I am a big believer that every choice has its benefits, so by not going, a new set of options will inevitably open.