Your Mental Health Is Your Greatest Asset

Reflections on speaking at the KLC Career Conference, 1 & 2 July 2026

I had the privilege of speaking at the KLC Career Conference. KLC School of Design, in London, is one of the UK's leading interior design schools. The Career Conference is an annual event where practitioners from across the industry come together to speak to the next generation of students. It was particularly special to be back, as I trained at KLC myself in 2019, so returning as a speaker felt like coming full circle in the best possible way. 

The brief was to talk about the ups and downs of a career in interior design. And I didn't hold back. I shared something personal, something I haven't always found easy to talk about. Because I think that's exactly what students need to hear, not the polished version, but the real one.

The Thing Nobody Tells You

When you are building a design studio, the conversation tends to focus on the creative work—the projects, the clients, the portfolio. The personal cost gets talked about far less. The pressure. The moments when everything feels like too much, and you're not sure how to keep going.

I've lived those moments. And what I've come to understand, through experience rather than theory, is that mental health is your greatest professional asset. Protecting it is essential for your success and well-being. Without it, nothing else works. Not the creativity, not the client relationships, not the business.

The Non-Negotiables: Never a Luxury, a Foundation

One of the things I spoke about at KLC was the idea of non-negotiables—the practices, boundaries, and rhythms that protect your wellbeing. These could include taking regular breaks, setting boundaries around work hours, or dedicating time to reflection and rest. Whatever they are, they serve as essential safeguards, especially when life gets hard.

For a long time, I think many of us have treated these as optional extras. Things we'll get to when things calm down. But they're not optional. They're the foundation on which everything else is built. Deciding your non-negotiables gives you control and confidence in your career.

Your non-negotiables may look different from mine, but the principle is the same. You must decide what they are before you need them. Build them into your life and your business as a matter of priority, not as an afterthought. This proactive approach ensures they become a reliable foundation for your wellbeing.

What I Want Emerging Designers to Know

If you're at the start of your career, or even somewhere in the middle, wondering if it's supposed to feel this hard, protecting yourself is not a weakness. It's not self-indulgence. It is the most professional, most strategic thing you can do for your long-term success and sustainability.

The design industry asks a lot of us. Our clients invite us into their most personal spaces and trust us with their homes, their lives, their everyday experience. That work matters. But you cannot give it everything if you have nothing left.

Look after yourself first. Know your non-negotiables now. Don't wait for a crisis to put them in place. Protecting your well-being early sets you up for sustained success and resilience.

It was a genuine honour to speak at KLC alongside so many inspiring people, and to be in a room full of designers who care so deeply about their craft. Thank you for having me and for the conversations that followed.

If anything I shared resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you.

Amy