My Thoughts On Turning 40
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I’m sharing my thoughts on turning 40 and opening up about life in my 30s and what I want to achieve in my 40s as a Wife, Mum, and Entrepreneur.
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You Are Your Most Valuable Asset as a Creative Entrepreneur
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Self-employed or not, you are your most valuable asset. Your business, your ideas and your progress depend on your energy, focus and wellbeing – which is why learning to take care of yourself is not a luxury, it’s essential.
Read MoreDo What You Love, and the sh*t that comes with it
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Since moving to Iceland 4 years ago now, I have worked for myself. Working for myself is an easy phrase to type or say but the action of making it happen and being successful, as in profitable, is a different story.
Read MoreFinding Home and Creativity in Reykjavik, Iceland
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After years of constant movement and academic pressure, Iceland gave me the space to breathe again. Sketching Reykjavik helped me find home, reconnect with creativity, and redefine what balance means as both an architect and a mum.
Read MoreDesigning for Change in Ecuador: How Volunteering Shaped My Purpose as an Architect
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Volunteering in Ecuador with Architecture Sans Frontières changed the way I saw design. Through participatory workshops in Quito’s informal settlements, I learned that architecture isn’t just about buildings - it’s about people, community, and the power of collaboration.
Read MoreHow Teaching in India Changed My Career (and My Life)
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When the recession ended my job in architecture, I never imagined it would lead me to India. What began as a short-term teaching contract became one of the most transformative chapters of my life. In Bangalore, I helped build a design school from the ground up, discovered my love for education, and learned that my real work wasn’t just designing spaces - it was helping others design their own creative paths.
Read MoreAbout Sonia Nicolson
Sonia Nicolson is a Chartered Architect and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, with 15+ years of international experience in Architecture, Interior Architecture & Design, and design education. As a Senior Lecturer, she has taught and mentored over 8,000 students worldwide and now helps aspiring architecture and interior design students develop confidence in hand drawing, visual communication, and portfolio preparation.
Through her courses, ebooks, and mentoring, Sonia specialises in making complex design skills clear, practical, and accessible - especially for students preparing for college, university, applications, or a career in the built environment.
Start your journey on the Start Here page.
Start Here
New to my blog? Begin with these reader favourites on studying architecture, portfolios, and learning to draw.
Want more support? Explore my Free Resources and Courses.
How to Draw One-Point Perspective: A Step-by-Step Guide for Architecture & Interior Design Students